AI as artificial ignorance

Abstract

First, we present a number of simple tests of AI, which document a profound gap between the hype and the reality of AI. Second, we explain the gap in terms of a confusion of artificial general intelligence with generative artificial intelligence in the promotion of AI. Finally, we analyze AI as bullshit (in the strong philosophical sense of Harry Frankfurt). We find that AI and bullshit are similar in the sense that both prioritize rhetoric over truth. They mix true, false, and ambiguous statements in ways that make it difficult to distinguish which is which. AI sounds convincing even when it's wrong. As such, current AI is more about persuasion than about truth. This is a problem because it means AI produces faulty and ignorant results. For now, we need to be highly skeptical of AI for its lack of a concept of truth.