AI: The 'Turbo' Button for Mediocre Products

Everything in the 80s went turbo crazy. The word turbo as a result came to just mean anything that was really good. I had a turbo vacuum cleaner, which was sort of fair enough, but a mate had some turbo sunglasses. It actually said it on the lenses! You also got turbo razors! Do you remember that turbo aftershave? Did you you use it? Well I didn't because I don't wear aftershave because I'm not from Cheshire. (Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Top Gear, Tribute to SAAB)

Tog Gear, Tribute to SAAB

Overhype and Mislabeling

In the realm of technology, buzzwords have a notorious habit of surging in popularity, only to fade into obscurity as quickly as they rose. The latest trend to capture the collective imagination is "AI," a term that seems to be slapped onto everything from mobile apps to toasters. But is this widespread adoption of AI truly reflective of groundbreaking advancements, or is it simply a case of overhype and mislabeling?

Much like the "Turbo" craze of the 1980s, where seemingly every piece of software or technology or whatever claimed to be "Turbo-charged," companies today are eager to associate their products with the allure of AI. This trend can be attributed to several factors:

• Marketing Hype: AI has become a powerful marketing tool, capable of generating excitement and interest. By labeling a product as AI-powered, companies can position it as cutting-edge and innovative, even if its underlying technology is relatively mundane.
• Investor Pressure: In today's competitive tech landscape, investors often demand rapid growth and innovation. By claiming to leverage AI, companies can signal to investors that they are at the forefront of technological advancements.
• Fear of Missing Out: As AI continues to make headlines, there is a growing fear among businesses of being left behind. To avoid falling behind their competitors, companies may feel compelled to adopt AI technologies, even if they don't fully understand their potential benefits.

However, the indiscriminate use of the AI label can also have negative consequences. When AI is overhyped and misapplied, it can lead to disappointment and disillusionment among consumers and businesses alike. In some cases, companies may even attempt to market mediocre or outdated technologies as AI-powered, simply to capitalize on the hype.

To address this issue, it is essential to establish clear and objective criteria for defining AI. While there is no universally agreed-upon definition, some key characteristics of AI include:

• Learning and Adaptation: AI systems should be capable of learning from data and adapting to new situations.
• Reasoning and Problem-Solving: AI systems should be able to reason about information and solve complex problems.
• Natural Language Processing: AI systems should be able to understand and generate human language.

By adhering to these criteria, we can help to separate genuine AI advancements from the hype and ensure that the term "AI" is used appropriately and meaningfully.

Lack of clarity

What does it even means "it uses AI" or "AI powered"? Do you have machine learning inside, Deep AI, pattern recognition, a cyborg, a call to Chat GPT or a battery of squirrels?

One of the most frustrating aspects of the current AI craze is the lack of clarity regarding how AI is actually being used in products. Many companies simply claim that their product is "AI-powered" without providing any specific details. This can lead to confusion and disappointment for consumers who are unsure whether they are truly benefiting from advanced AI technology. Is the AI in question simply a basic machine learning algorithm, or is it a sophisticated deep learning model capable of complex tasks? Are we talking about pattern recognition, natural language processing, or something entirely different? The vague and often misleading use of the term "AI" can make it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

The good old deterministic methods: does your product benefit or not from AI?

While AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries, it's important to recognize that it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. In some cases, traditional algorithms or deterministic models may be more appropriate. For example, when launching a rocket, we expect a precise and predictable outcome based on well-established equations. Introducing AI into this process could introduce uncertainty or variability that could compromise the mission. In such scenarios, where reliability and predictability are paramount, relying on deterministic methods may be the safer and more effective approach.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Need for flexibility: If your product needs to adapt to changing conditions or learn from new data, AI might be beneficial.
• Complexity of tasks: If your product involves complex tasks that are difficult to define with rules, AI might be helpful.
• Need for creativity: If your product requires creative problem-solving or generating new ideas, AI might be useful.

However, if your product:

• Requires precise, repeatable results: Deterministic methods might be more suitable.
• Deals with well-defined, structured data: Traditional algorithms might be sufficient.
• Doesn't need to learn or adapt over time: AI might be overkill.

Ultimately, the best approach is to carefully evaluate your product's specific needs and consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of both AI and deterministic methods.

Conclusion

Please use AI on your products only if they really have AI inside and it makes sense to include AI in them, explaining exactly what AI is in charge of.

Unless you wear aftershave or you are from Cheshire.

Post Scriptum

I live near Cheshire myself and have nothing against aftershaves, so no offence intended :D