The Digital Press

Thomas Friedman’s recent New York Times columns on AI promote the idea that superintelligent AI is imminent and autonomous, but Melanie Mitchell argues his views rely on magical thinking and misunderstandings of current AI capabilities.

Why it matters: Misleading claims about AI’s abilities and threats can skew public understanding and hinder effective AI regulation.

The big picture: AI systems reflect vast human-generated data, not mysterious emergent properties or independent agency as Friedman suggests.

The stakes: Overestimating AI autonomy risks ignoring practical harms like bias, misinformation, and privacy loss that require human-led oversight.

Commenters say: Readers appreciate Mitchell’s critique of Friedman’s naivety and magical thinking, calling for more realism and careful regulation discussions.