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The AI boom has been impossible to ignore. From viral tools like ChatGPT to massive investments totaling in the hundreds of billions, artificial intelligence seems to be everywhere—and growing fast. But a growing number of voices are starting to ask a harder question: Are we in a bubble that’s about to pop?
If you’ve been wondering the same thing, you’re not alone. In fact, this very topic will take center stage during an upcoming live conversation between Ars Technica’s senior AI reporter Benj Edwards and outspoken AI critic Ed Zitron. The event is part of the Ars Live series and it’s happening on October 7 at 3:30pm ET, streaming on YouTube.
You can set a reminder to watch live via this direct link.
Why this conversation matters right now
The pace of AI development has been staggeringly fast since OpenAI’s ChatGPT shot into the spotlight. Big Tech and startups alike have scrambled to be part of the next big thing. But the serious money that’s pouring in—along with a tidal wave of hype—has raised a key question: What exactly are we building, and can it justify the cost?
Enter Ed Zitron.
Zitron, who wears multiple hats as host of the podcast Better Offline and CEO of the media relations firm EZPR, has become a high-profile skeptic of the AI industry. He also writes a sharp newsletter, Where’s Your Ed At, where he breaks down everything from OpenAI’s eye-watering funding ambitions to what he’s dubbed the “Subprime AI Crisis.” In short, he’s not afraid to say the quiet part out loud.
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Topics like:
- Are companies losing money on AI spending they can’t sustain?
- Are flashy AI demos masking a lack of real, scalable business value?
- Who’s benefiting from AI right now—and who’s not?
These are exactly the things Zitron and Edwards will dig into during the livestream.
Two perspectives, one timely conversation
What makes this event genuinely compelling is that the two guests don’t see everything the same way. Edwards has been following AI’s growth story from the inside as a reporter, while Zitron has become known for pulling no punches on the industry’s shortcomings and inflated promises.
During their chat, expect some tension. But also expect clarity. This isn’t just another round of buzzword bingo—this is a real attempt to figure out whether AI is overhyped, underdelivering, or just misunderstood.
What’s at stake if the AI bubble bursts?
If we are in an AI bubble, and it does pop, the fallout could be wide-reaching—from investor losses to startup closures and massive shifts in the tech job market. And for everyday users like us, it might mean reevaluating whether these tools are really helping us… or just dazzling us.
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Whether you’re an AI optimist, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation aims to offer something the current noise often lacks: honest, thought-provoking insight.
You can tune in live on Ars Technica’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@arstechnica this October 7 at 3:30 PM ET. Add it to your calendar here.
Because with this much money—and this much hype—on the line, we all deserve to know: Is the future of AI solid… or is it built on sand?
