Debunking the ‘AI Con’

Cracking the Hype Code

A new book titled “The AI Con” by data scientist and activist Mitali Sharma takes direct aim at what she describes as the overblown promises and fears surrounding artificial intelligence. Released amid a wave of tech industry optimism about AI’s transformative potential, the book argues that many of these claims are strategically inflated by large tech companies to both attract investment and deflect regulatory scrutiny. Sharma contends that AI is less a godlike intelligence rising on its own and more a reflection of corporate incentives—and suggests that the mystique surrounding AI has led the public and policymakers to cede control over its development.

Calling for Tech Accountability

Sharma also focuses on the societal implications of unchecked AI hype. In particular, she warns that the “myth of inevitability” peddled by tech giants can lead decision-makers to treat AI advancement as unstoppable, when in reality, many of its directions are shaped by business priorities. She advocates for a more democratic and transparent approach to AI governance, where the broader public—not just elite engineers or executives—have influence in shaping its future. “The AI Con” pushes readers to peer behind the curtain of Silicon Valley’s AI storytelling and to ask deeper questions about who benefits from the current narrative.