The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Lifesaver or job killer? Why AI tools like ChatGPT are so polarizing

By Will Oremus

12 Mar 2023 · 5 min read

Editor's Note

We are in the midst of a “sort of AI arms race.” The Post weighs in on the point at which hype and fear have collided in the tech industry’s latest boom.

If you listen to its boosters, artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize nearly every facet of life for the better. A tide of new, cutting-edge tools is already demolishing language barriers, automating tedious tasks, detecting cancer and comforting the lonely.

A growing chorus of doomsayers, meanwhile, agrees AI is poised to revolutionize life - but for the worse. It is absorbing and reflecting society's worst biases, threatening the livelihoods of artists and white-collar workers, and perpetuating scams and disinformation, they say.

Sign in to informed

  • Curated articles from premium publishers, ad-free
  • Concise Daily Briefs with quick-read summaries
  • Read, listen, save for later, or enjoy offline
  • Enjoy personalized content
Or

LoginForm.agreeToTerms