AI execs may be too out of touch to build for the general public

Former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer faced criticism for suggesting her AI app Dazzle could help describe her daughter for a school presentation, with critics calling the description generic and highlighting how Silicon Valley culture has diverged from ordinary life. Similar backlash hit OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for saying he couldn't imagine raising a newborn without ChatGPT, and for proposing that ChatGPT could create podcasts about kids' interests. Mayer defended herself, saying she was testing her prototype and that it resurfaced forgotten photos, but she also suggested AI could plan birthday parties, playdates, and even coordinate with her husband's AI assistant. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg envisions AI meeting social needs, predicting it will become more acceptable to use AI therapists or romantic partners, and noting that people feel lonely. The article argues that while efficiency is valued in tech, human relationships are inherently messy and meaningful, and delegating them to computers surrenders the fulfilling experience of being human. A Pew study found that 50% of U.S. adults think AI will reduce meaningful relationships, while only 5% think it will help.

(Source：TechCrunch)