Move over 'smart', AIwashing is here

The article argues that "AIwashing" mirrors greenwashing, where marketers deceptively dress ordinary products in artificial intelligence terminology to falsely suggest advanced intelligence or innovation. This practice misleads consumers by attributing sophisticated capabilities to mundane items, much like how environmental claims often exaggerate eco-friendliness. This phenomenon is relevant to greenwashing as it demonstrates a broader pattern of corporate green- and tech-washing, where brands exploit trendy buzzwords to mask inferior or standard functionality. It highlights how regulatory efforts are often outpaced by clever marketing that exploits public fascination with emerging technologies. Ultimately, the piece warns consumers to remain skeptical of these exaggerated claims, noting that most AI-labeled features offer little more than incremental improvements rather than true technological revolution. It underscores the need for critical evaluation of marketing hype across both environmental and technological domains.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Published on 2023-12-15