El Podcast

E48: AI HYPE - Explained by Computer Scientist

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Emmanuel Maggiori—AI consultant and author of Smart Until It’s Dumb—explains why today’s AI is far less powerful than the hype suggests. Drawing from his insider experience in tech, he reveals how much of the industry is plagued by bloated teams, meaningless work, and overhyped projects. Maggiori argues that tools like ChatGPT can generate convincing text but lack real understanding, making them unreliable for high-stakes tasks. He pushes back on doomsday fears and urges a shift toward solving real-world, “boring” problems where tech can make a meaningful difference.

Episode Notes

Dr. Emmanuel Maggiori, author of Smart Until It’s Dumb, exposes the myths around artificial intelligence, argues why the AI bubble will burst, and explains how hype, inefficiency, and misplaced incentives are shaping tech and work culture today.

👤Guest Bio: Dr. Emmanuel Maggiori is a software engineer and AI consultant with a PhD in machine learning. He has worked for over a decade in tech and finance, including roles at Expedia and investment banks, and is the author of Smart Until It’s Dumb: Why Artificial Intelligence Keeps Making Epic Mistakes and Why the AI Bubble Will Burst. Emmanuel is a vocal critic of inflated AI narratives and advocates for practical, real-world technology solutions.

📚Topics Discussed:

• Why AI systems like ChatGPT and AlphaGo aren’t as “intelligent” as people think
• Tech industry idleness, task inflation, and the cult of Scrum
• The limits of machine learning, from self-driving cars to Amazon’s “cashierless” stores
• The economics behind layoffs, overstaffing, and the illusion of productivity in tech
• AI bias, hallucinations, and the dangers of over-trusting algorithmic decisions
• Future-proofing your job and why “excellent work” will survive AI disruption
• Investment hype cycles, broken VC incentives, and the promise of boring businesses
• AI girlfriends, Skynet fears, and the difference between science fiction and current reality

💬Top 3 Quotes:

“If you want to argue that AI is about to change the world, ask yourself: do you actually know what a screenwriter, translator, or consultant does?”
— On the disconnect between AI hype and the reality of complex human jobs.

“AI is smart until it’s dumb—because it can do something brilliant, and then hallucinate something completely absurd without warning.”
— On the core limitation of current machine learning systems.

“There’s so much boring work left to do in the world—real innovation will come from solving those problems, not building metaverse goggles or AI girlfriends.”
— On what we should actually be investing in and building with technology.

📺Watch the full pod on YouTube➡️https://youtu.be/Nd7wrC62LEk?si=zASovHB70EL9Nf_9