# AI is wonderful and will make your life better! (not) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** ai\ **Created:** [July 20, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117 "2025-07-20T16:40:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/501 "2025-12-11T15:28:44Z")
And yet the men (mostly) who birthed these nightmares into the world are still celebrated. > ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/502 "2025-12-11T15:50:23Z")
Not to mention that these so-called titans of industry are going to crash the economy. > **[Oracle shares fall 13% on increase in data centre spending](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/12/oracle-shares-slide-on-15b-increase-in-data-center-spending/)** > > Larry Ellison’s company raises its capital expenditure forecast as it doubles down on AI infrastructure bet ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/503 "2025-12-11T17:15:28Z")
The world would be a better place if we could physically put all those people on the I-beam in that picture and then push them off it. Every single one is complete garbage as are their companies. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/504 "2025-12-11T22:18:09Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > And yet the men (mostly) who birthed these nightmares into the world are still celebrated. Recall that Hitler was Person of the Year once-Time has been on record as the title in question NOT necessarily being intended as praise or endorsement of the entity’s views, just that they are noteworthy in some way, for good _or_ bad. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/505 "2025-12-12T06:18:22Z")
That was their justification when they named Khomeini person of the year in 1979, too. But they got such a raft of shit about it, they’ve consistently shied away from “negative but noteworthy/impactful” ever since. I mean, who in 2001 was a more impactful individual than Osama bin Laden? And they went with the eye-roll of Giuliani instead? Their intention with the pick from 1979 forward has never been worse than “neutral acknowledgement” but usually there’s some element of respect to it. The “but they named Hitler!” retort is weak and meaningless at this point. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/506 "2025-12-12T17:27:54Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > That was their justification when they named Khomeini person of the year in 1979, too. But they got such a raft of shit about it, they’ve consistently shied away from “negative but noteworthy/impactful” ever since. They did choose Vladimir Putin in 2007. But I’m not sure what level of ‘real life Bond villain’ he was considered to be yet, at that time. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/507 "2025-12-12T17:41:25Z")
In 1938 Hitler was a mere strutting blowhard, the German equivalent of [El Presidente](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheGeneralissimo) who had nonetheless made Germany relevant to international politics again. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/508 "2025-12-13T23:23:56Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > The world would be a better place if we could physically put all those people on the I-beam in that picture and then push them off it. Every single one is complete garbage as are their companies. Much like their companies, in that picture the existence of support for their positions is only implied. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/509 "2025-12-25T02:25:46Z")
As the old saying goes, you can’t spell Christmas without Chr7sst. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jeroykgnupcijro5ydn2j7zf/bafkreihxu2czgrjkychcd4vn2nw5jfs37jxjsw6xmprvm5ajm2l7gqjm5u@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jeroykgnupcijro5ydn2j7zf/bafkreihxu2czgrjkychcd4vn2nw5jfs37jxjsw6xmprvm5ajm2l7gqjm5u@jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/510 "2025-12-25T16:48:59Z")
Hehehe, there’s no manger or Jeebus in that image that I can see. They’re just adoring a blank spot. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/511 "2025-12-25T18:22:04Z")
Some people don’t put the Jesus doll in until actual Christmas Day. I’m assuming this pic was taken before the day. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/512 "2025-12-25T18:37:00Z")
Yes, that is almost certainly a real, physical manger display in a church. The text on the screen above it is the only AI. The text was lazily made with a primitive, outdated AI model. If the whole image was AI, then it is one very, very good at photorealism. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/513 "2025-12-25T18:43:58Z")
Text is mostly a solved problem for the most modern AI models. I played around a bit with this theme, using these prompts: > **Summary** > > A manger display inside the front of a church. A glurgy Christmas message is projected on a screen above the display. Scattered church members stand around the display. Iphone 15 photo. > > A Christmas Card with a manger scene and a glurgy holiday message. > > A Christmas Card with a manger scene and a glurgy holiday message. The image is a photograph of posed 1980s toys. > > A Christmas Card with a manger scene and a glurgy holiday message. The image is a photograph of posed 1980s Japanese robot toys. [![](https://i.imgur.com/0smRjkR.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/0smRjkR.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/514 "2025-12-25T21:39:01Z")
The two “classic” types I would not be surprised to see at the local dollar-store or indie drugstore rack. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/515 "2025-12-27T18:15:16Z")
If you count motion-capture robots as AI (and I do), you might find this funny: > **[James Vincent (@jjvincent.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/jjvincent.bsky.social/post/3mayddynhas2l)** > > another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls It should be in the online encyclopedia under “Laws of Unintended Consequences.” I do feel for the guy, though. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/516 "2025-12-28T02:58:13Z")
I was checking to see when my school was playing in a bowl game this year, and was surprised to discover that AI can predict the future! AI says: > **Overview** > > The University of Utah (U of U) football team played in the **SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2025) against Nebraska, winning the game 31-24**. The Utes, led by new head coach Morgan Scalley for the game, defeated the Cornhuskers in a thrilling contest at Allegiant Stadium. Our new overlords are getting damn good! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/517 "2025-12-28T06:09:05Z")
Video in the link; > **[James Vincent (@jjvincent.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/jjvincent.bsky.social/post/3mayddynhas2l)** > > another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/518 "2025-12-29T01:09:33Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Our new overlords are getting damn good! Back when I was working in importing products from the States, I had a tech who would lie about things he had done. He would say had had done a particular check on some products when he hadn’t. Random lying wound up not being conducive to long term employment. Who would have guessed? I don’t understand AI enough to understand why it hallucinates football scores. It does seem to prevent trust, though. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/519 "2026-01-02T02:36:40Z")
I’m just going to butt in here again to defend AI against all the doomsayers. It’s been said here about a million times – yes, AI systems like ChatGPT sound authoritative, but may be wrong sometimes, and should not be relied on. For sure. No argument. And yet … when I had some questions about the functionality of my new car, GPT answered them perfectly and accurately (I had no idea that the trunk lock had a “normal” and “secure” position! The manual contains all needed information, but not necessarily organized the way you would expect). And GPT provided some important insights and questions to ask at my upcoming medical specialist appointment that will reveal far more information to me than just going in as an ignorant doofus. It’s not just a search engine. The answers were extensive and detailed and exactly tailored to my needs. Were there inaccuracies? Probably somewhere. But on balance, the responses were incredibly useful to me, and the ability to ask more questions in a preserved context is extremely crucial to the value of the whole system, allowing the user to iterate their way to exactly the information they were looking for. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117/520 "2026-01-02T05:07:20Z")
Ars Technica has a pretty good round up of the state of AI this year. > [@](#): > > If 2023 and 2024 were defined by AI prophecy—that is, by sweeping claims about imminent superintelligence and civilizational rupture—then 2025 was the year those claims met the stubborn realities of engineering, economics, and human behavior. The AI systems that dominated headlines this year were shown to be mere tools. Sometimes powerful, sometimes brittle, these tools were often misunderstood by the people deploying them, in part because of the prophecy surrounding them. > > The collapse of the “reasoning” mystique, the legal reckoning over training data, the psychological costs of anthropomorphized chatbots, and the ballooning infrastructure demands all point to the same conclusion: The age of institutions presenting AI as an oracle is ending. What’s replacing it is messier and less romantic but far more consequential—a phase where these systems are judged by what they actually do, who they harm, who they benefit, and what they cost to maintain. > **[From prophet to product: How AI came back down to earth in 2025](https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/12/from-prophet-to-product-how-ai-came-back-down-to-earth-in-2025/)** > > In a year where lofty promises collided with inconvenient research, would-be oracles became software tools. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-is-wonderful-and-will-make-your-life-better-not/1021117.md?page=27)