Technology

Mentioning AI in marketing signals:

• Our management has no vision and chases fads.
• Once this fad passes you'll be on your own as we move on to the next one.
• We think you are quite dumb and won't see how vapid our marketing is.
• The product probably requires an internet connection and may not work without one.
• The product probably depends on a cloud service that could be withdrawn at any time.
• The product probably spies on you.
• We cheap out on things that would be better done by people paid to do them.
• We can't think of anything more specific that distinguishes our product.
• You're paying for features you don't want or need.
• You'll be at the mercy of our software updates, which at some point will stop coming and then who knows if the product will keep working.
• Even before we stop supporting it, the product will only work about half the time.

Well that's true. I was looking at a Zojirushi rice cooker

One of its selling point is: 'Advanced fuzzy logic technology with AI (Artificial Intelligence) "learns" and adjusts the cooking cycle to get perfect results'

I immediately said no thanks and looked for another model without that, and probably cheaper. It's a rice cooker FFS!

"AI" went automatically to the list of so-called features that will make me drop a product like it's on fire:

❌ Uses "artificial intelligence"

❌ Needs an internet connection (barring actual computers)

❌ Always-on microphone/camera

❌ Phones home to manufacturer's or third party servers

❌ You buy the hardware, we lease you the software

❌ Fire hazard

❌ Toxicity and/or radiation

❌ Exposed wiring

❌ "Spring surprise" chocolate variant

❌ Actual killer bot

negative response to AI disclosure was even stronger for “high-risk” products and services, [..] such as expensive electronics, medical devices or financial services. Because failure carries more potential risk, [..] mentioning AI for these types of descriptions may make consumers more wary [..]

That sounds like a rational reaction.

There's a lot of hand waving when companies talk about AI safety. I would be more likely pay for a product with some AI if marketing promote its effectiveness without highlighting AI, than if they mentioned AI with vague assurance about safety.

If a product says "AI" on it, and its not talking about NPCs in a videogame, i assume the product is shitty and took 30x the energy to produce than a human-made product of the same quality

I have seen several "AI Bible app"s advertised. I don't even want to ask what sort of concoction they're making