Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000

Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna

Manifesting the End of Tech Bro Manifestos, 2026.09.08

SEP 17, 202656 MIN

Description

Last month, Sam Altman proclaimed that we're already in "the Singularity." Not to be outdone, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg have both recently come out with lengthy blog posts about "superhuman AI." Emily and Alex brave some truly terrible writing to unearth the core motivations at the heart of these screeds. References: Gates: "The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical."Also referenced: "Impulse Purchase" by OK Go Zuckerberg: "The Future is for Everyone" Fresh AI Hell: Tristan Buckmaster's statement on OpenAI trying to take credit for his workAlso referenced: Emily's debate with Sébastien Bubeck Nature article worrying about impact of LLMs on language change for all the wrong reasons Palate cleanser: NYC bans "AI" in schools Check out future streams on Twitch. Meanwhile, send us any AI Hell you see. Find our book The AI Con here, and MAIHT3k merch here. Subscribe to our newsletter via Buttondown. Follow us! Emily Bluesky: emilymbender.bsky.social Mastodon: dair-community.social/@EmilyMBender Alex Bluesky: alexhanna.bsky.social Mastodon: dair-community.social/@alex Twitter: @alexhanna Music by Toby Menon. Artwork by Naomi Pleasure-Park.  Production by Ozzy Llinas Goodman.