A new digital divide is emerging, not between those who have internet access and those who don’t, but between the builders of AI and its believers. On one side are the thousands of contract workers who see the technology’s flaws up close every day. On the other side is the general public, which is being encouraged to embrace AI as a magical, transformative tool.
The builders are the ultimate skeptics. They are the ones who work with the raw, unfiltered AI, seeing its constant stream of “hallucinations” and logical failures. They are subject to the flawed processes and ethical compromises made in the name of speed. This intimate knowledge has led many of them to a profound distrust of the technology they are creating. It’s common for them to advise their own families to avoid it.
The believers are the target audience of the industry’s massive marketing efforts. They see the polished final product, presented with a “sparkle” emoji that suggests effortless magic. They are told that AI is the future and are encouraged to integrate it into every aspect of their lives, from writing emails to seeking medical information. They are being sold a story of infallibility and progress.
This divide is dangerous. It means that the people who know the most about AI’s limitations are the least likely to be heard, while the public is being led to place an unwarranted amount of trust in a technology that is still deeply flawed. Bridging this divide by revealing the builders’ reality is a critical step toward a more honest and safe technological future.