AI or AI-Washing? A Rant

In the current tech landscape, you’d be hard-pressed to find a corner not touched by the so-called "AI revolution." Every other headline screams AI, and suddenly, everyone is an AI expert. But here’s a thought: are we witnessing genuine innovation, or is it just AI-washing?

Today, we have:

• "AI Professionals" diving into the nuances of prompt engineering.
• "AI Engineers" who can skillfully weave their way around using an API.
• "AI Consultants" whose strategies often boil down to recommending ChatGPT as a solution.

A good chunk of what we observe is merely repackaging existing AI products. It's almost the equivalent of declaring "use Salesforce" as a groundbreaking business strategy. Labeling such suggestions as "AI Strategies" often feels like overstretching the term.

Amidst this flurry, it's crucial to recognize the marvel of some genuinely brilliant minds doing valuable work. Integrating generative AI into workflows and products is no walk in the park. It demands skill, creativity, and innovative thinking.

But here lies the core of my rant: the definition of "AI" seems to have shifted. While this isn't inherently bad, reconciling with this change is a journey in itself. It’s important to remember the long-standing elements of AI, like preparing data and training models, which hold substantial significance in contrast to merely using someone else's AI product.

This discourse isn't about dismissing these tools but about acknowledging the continuum of AI development. Let's not lose sight of what truly constitutes AI amidst the clamoring of AI-flavored products and strategies.

In the end, it’s about keeping perspective. What does AI mean in today’s context? Is it still the realm of machine learning and model training, or has it become synonymous with leveraging large language models?

This contemplation is part of understanding and adapting to the shifting landscape. One thing's for sure—AI’s scope is broad and encompassing, whether it’s as a profound technological tool or a trend that’s reshaping industries.