Generative AI: Promises vs Reality by Abeba Birhane

  • Nov 12, 2025 10:00–10:45AM

  • The Pool (R1)

Over the past number of years, we have seen peak excitement, enthusiasm, and inflated optimism around AI. Such excitement is largely predicated upon “promises” and “potential benefits” rather than based on concrete empirical evidence or rigorous testing. Actual deployed systems, on the contrary, continue to fail to live up to their promises. In this talk, Birhane presents empirical evidence that evaluates current state-of-the-art AI systems in the backdrop of grandiose claims. This talk concludes by looking at some possible ways to move forward.

Q&A moderated by Dorleta Urrutia-Onate.

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