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The Rise of AI and the Diverging Visions
The story of Chungin “Roy” Lee unfolds rapidly, almost as if it were preordained. After transferring to Columbia University last fall, he used artificial intelligence (AI) to cheat his way through school, secure internships at Amazon and Meta, and even land job offers from both companies. In the winter, he publicly showcased his AI tool on social media, leading to his suspension and eventual withdrawal from university in the spring to launch a startup called Cluely. This company markets an AI assistant that can “cheat on everything” by running in the background during meetings or sales calls. Last month, Cluely closed a $15 million funding round led by the renowned venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Lee is unapologetic about his stance, believing that the rise of omniscient AI is inevitable. He argues that bots will soon automate every job, and the term “cheating” is merely a provocative way to get people to accept this reality. According to Lee, the world will eventually adapt, just as it did with previous technological advancements. He claims that even if ChatGPT doesn’t become significantly more capable, “every single white-collar job in America should essentially be gone already.” He adds that he would bet his entire life on AI continuing to improve exponentially.
As we spoke over Zoom, Lee’s enthusiasm for AI reminded me of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Both leaders approach their products like evangelists, spreading their vision with fervor. Altman recently wrote an essay stating that the singularity—the point where technology surpasses human control—has already begun. He believes that while some jobs may disappear, the world will become richer and more innovative, allowing for new policy ideas.
The Optimistic Vision of AI Zealots
In the Bay Area, AI zealots are everywhere. They believe that AI’s rapid ascension is not only inevitable but also the most important development on the planet. Some even claim it’s the only thing worth caring about. Their vision is optimistic, though often seen as naive, suggesting that superintelligence will ultimately benefit everyone. This allows them to overlook immediate issues such as job loss and resource consumption. AI startups promise full automation of the economy, unlimited connections with AI personas, limitless memory, and solutions to all diseases.
Many AI entrepreneurs are rethinking the value of traditional education. One entrepreneur told me that today’s AI systems may already be more academically capable than his teenage son, leading him to question the relevance of conventional schooling.
The Skeptics’ Counterpoint
However, not everyone shares this optimism. AI skeptics have grown increasingly vocal, dismissing AI as overhyped and practically useless. Emily Bender, a computational linguist, co-authored a book titled The AI Con and refers to chatbots as “a racist pile of linear algebra,” highlighting documented biases against people of color. Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist at NYU, argues that chatbots are not truly intelligent, comparing them to calculators. He believes that AI’s current capabilities are overstated, and that the technology is far from achieving true intelligence.
These two camps are increasingly coming into direct conflict. Recent online disputes include Marcus mocking Altman with an image linking him to Elizabeth Holmes, and Ed Zitron writing a 7,000-word essay criticizing generative AI. The debate has transcended evidence and become a contest between different worldviews, with each side occupying its own parallel universe.
The Growing Influence of AI
As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, its influence is undeniable. Billions of people now encounter generative AI through platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, X, iPhones, Amazon reviews, and voice assistants. Some actively seek out these tools, with ChatGPT becoming the fifth-most-visited website globally. OpenAI’s new image generator was reportedly used by over 130 million people in its first week, causing significant strain on the company’s servers.
AI executives are growing bolder in their rhetoric, warning of transformative technology arriving within 18 months. Meanwhile, tech companies are investing heavily, burning through hundreds of billions of dollars to train more powerful AI systems. This extreme spending reflects a belief that the money will eventually flow once the technology reshapes the world.
The Debate Over AI’s Capabilities
A recent paper published by Apple, titled The Illusion of Thinking, highlighted the limitations of AI models. Researchers found that advanced AI systems struggled with tasks requiring logical reasoning, even when the problems were solvable by following a consistent pattern. Critics argue that these models are statistical approximators rather than true thinkers, while boosters dismiss the findings as irrelevant.
This debate underscores the broader divide between AI believers and skeptics. While some see AI as a breakthrough, others view it as a flawed technology. The lack of clear definitions and goalposts makes it difficult to determine whether AI is advancing toward general intelligence or facing systemic flaws.
The Future of AI and Society
The conflict between AI believers and skeptics may continue for years. As AI becomes more complex, the terms used to describe it remain ambiguous. Without clear answers, faith fills the void, allowing both sides to interpret the same evidence differently.
Despite the challenges, there may be room for agreement. Some AI skeptics acknowledge the breakthroughs of current models, while AI proponents recognize the need for further progress. The future of AI remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the technology is here to stay, and its impact on society will be profound.
