Why Trump’s Rebrand of Artificial Intelligence to Super Intelligent Matters

Our current language for describing AI works differently. The line between metaphor and object is often not just blurred, but non-existent. We use figurative language so often, and so casually, that many of us start to take it literally. Modern politics is a constant string of skirmishes over word choice. “Pro-choice” vs. “pro-abortion, “undocumented immigrants” vs. “illegals,” “Democratic Party” vs. “Democrat Party.” Yet on what is perhaps the most consequential issue for our future, humanity is on the verge of giving up the language battle without a fight. 

The real rebrand AI needs won’t start in the White House. But it can start at home. My plea: don’t give your chatbot a cutesy human name. Don’t talk about it as though it’s a friend or pet. Notice when it slips words like “thinking” or “in my opinion” into its answers, and before you enter your next prompt, object. 

Ultimately, however, it may come down to tech companies—and the officials who may one day get around to regulating them—to develop a language that puts human beings first. Instead of saying that agents “went rogue,” CEOs should acknowledge that they malfunctioned. Congress should hold hearings focused on companies cutting corners, not AI programs behaving badly.  The issue isn’t that all AI is bad, but that accuracy matters.