AI is the current buzzword in marketing. Work out what’s snake oil and what isn’t. Be careful what you call “artificial intelligence”. Don’t overpromise what your algorithm or AI-based tool can deliver. Make sure you have an AI-BS check list.
According to a study of 2,830 European startups by consultancy MMC Ventures, 40% of companies describing themselves as 'AI startups' used virtually no AI at all.
“Artificial intelligence” is an ambiguous term with many possible definitions. Some companies plan to use AI, but haven't implemented it yet. Others confuse AI with machine learning or basic algorithms because they don't fully understand its definition. True AI is typically defined as the ability to handle unstructured data.
In basic computing, we give a computer instructions to get an answer. But in AI, the computer learns the instructions itself from provided answers, a tough process called 'learning'. Once learned, it can solve similar problems easily, a process known as 'inference'. If new problems arise, it learns again. Over time, it becomes useful by making good decisions in a variety of situations.
US lawmakers said: "AI tools like ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion and others should not be protected by Section 230.” But it isn't a law yet. Still, companies could be open to a deluge of lawsuits if AI tools go awry.
The FTC recommends that we keep our AI claims in check:
- Are we exaggerating what our AI product can do? For instance, we’re already talking about machines as “sentient” conscious beings, not just automating relatively well-defined tasks or crunching through scientific formula.
- Are we promising that our AI product does something better than a non-AI product? We need enough proof to back that up, otherwise we shouldn’t make that claim. Often tasks that look simple have many invisible aspects.
- Does the product actually use AI at all? Just because you use an AI tool during product development doesn't mean the product itself is AI-powered. Be aware of this before you label your product as AI-enabled.
Experiment with tools but be careful to keep it in a well-defined scope. For example, use a simple but useful plugin for a city government that directs users to relevant resources. For example, a plugin to help users find local recycling facilities and public parks, or other services and initiatives like "leftovers for collection".