Opinion: AI hype this summer masks marketing, not breakthroughs

Both Anthropic and OpenAI later claimed mathematical breakthroughs, with OpenAI’s chatbot Astra touted as solving problems that had been open for a decade. Mathematicians initially expressed surprise but later argued the results were not novel, accusing OpenAI of research misconduct and plagiarism. A NYU professor publicly suggested OpenAI had stolen work and mis‑attributed it. The article notes that such hype draws attention away from real issues like data‑center climate impact, local pollution, and the need for careful policy review.

Hundreds of mathematicians have signed a statement warning against overstating AI capabilities and urging policymakers to consult experts rather than rely on press releases. The piece also references Senator Bernie Sanders’s proposed legislation on "artificial superintelligence," calling it well‑meaning but misguided, and argues that framing models as "superhuman" helps companies evade accountability.