AI as artificial ignorance
Year: 2025
Type: article
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. • Judging by available evidence, AI entails artificial ignorance more than artificial intelligence. • Current AI is more about rhetoric and persuasiveness than about truth. • To be right, you need to know the truth about things, AI does not. • The real risk is if humans begin to trust an AI that is in fact ignorant and faulty. • AI may become intelligent in the future, it isn't now.
Source: Project Leadership and Society
Author: Bent Flyvbjerg
Institutions: University of Oxford, IT University of Copenhagen
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,270
Funder: Villum Fonden
OpenAlex ID: W4416889969