Top researchers push back on Big Tech, alleged AI hype in new book

The fight against AI hype is gaining academic momentum, as prominent researchers Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna release their new book challenging Big Tech‘s narrative around artificial intelligence. Their work, “The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want,” expands on their popular podcast “Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000” to provide a comprehensive critique of the exaggerated promises and potential harms of current AI development trajectories. Their analysis arrives at a crucial moment when organizations are struggling to separate genuine AI capabilities from marketing hyperbole and determine responsible implementation paths.

The big picture: Bender and Hanna’s book emerged from their podcast collaboration and aims to equip the public and policymakers with tools to resist AI hype while developing more human-centered technological futures.

Labor impacts: The authors challenge the common narrative that AI will replace jobs, arguing instead that AI implementation often degrades working conditions rather than eliminating positions outright.

• Labor unions are actively developing strategies to resist harmful AI implementation, as evidenced by the Writers Guild of America strike and resulting contract provisions limiting AI use.
• The authors emphasize how automation frequently makes jobs more difficult rather than eliminating them completely.

Governance concerns: Bender and Hanna express skepticism about delegating governance responsibilities to automated systems, highlighting the risks of abdicating human judgment in complex social contexts.

• They specifically critique efforts to automate government services, arguing that such initiatives often fail to address underlying social and political problems.
• The authors question whether AI can meaningfully solve complex societal challenges that fundamentally require human deliberation and values-based decision-making.

Research integrity: The book raises alarms about AI’s impact on scientific research, particularly regarding peer review processes and the integrity of academic literature.

• The authors criticize the growing practice of using AI for literature reviews and other scientific work that requires careful human engagement.
• They emphasize the importance of thorough, critical research practices that cannot be effectively automated.

Climate considerations: Bender and Hanna reject techno-solutionist approaches to environmental challenges, arguing that AI is unlikely to solve the climate crisis.

• They critique the “magical thinking” that positions technological solutions as panaceas for environmental problems without addressing underlying systemic issues.
• The authors highlight concerns about data centers’ environmental footprint and health impacts on surrounding communities.

Resistance strategies: The book offers practical approaches for resisting uncritical AI adoption, focusing on collective action and education.

• Bender and Hanna encourage people to ask fundamental questions about technology’s purpose and implementation before accepting its integration.
• They advocate for reimagining professional practices to maintain human agency and prevent harmful AI intrusion in various fields.