For the guy who literally wrote the book on big data and its promise to revolutionize how “we live, work, and think,” Kenneth Cukier’s view on big data’s love child, AI, is far less rosy. Citing “zillions of limitations,” Cukier has poured cold water on AI’s hype, ultimately concluding that he’s “not sure, honestly” about the world’s ability to overcome those limitations.
Not that an uncertain outcome is hampering investments in AI. Public companies talk up AI on their earnings calls (e.g., airline Air Canada highlighted its “investments in AI and enhanced airport services and enhancements” while TV and broadband company Liberty Global touted investments “in…digital tools like advanced analytics [and] AI-based applications…[because] we know [they] will ensure we’re retaining customers and growing ARPU”), even as venture capitalists dump copious quantities of cash into startups: $15.2 billion in 2017 alone…