Tech Industry’s Culture Criticized Amid AGI Hype and Delusions

UPDATE: A critical analysis of the tech culture has emerged, spotlighting a troubling trend in the industry. On November 14, 2025, tech commentator Jason Walsh highlighted the dangerous disconnect between technological promises and reality, asserting that the core issue lies not in the technology itself but in a fundamentally unserious industry culture.

Walsh’s urgent call to action comes after discussions with a chatbot revealed alarming patterns of delusional thinking among users. As companies push for innovations like Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and asteroid mining, Walsh warns that these “fantasies” are impacting real-world policy and investment decisions. He cites the Winklevoss brothers, who claimed that gold would soon lose its value due to future asteroid mining, as examples of misguided optimism that ignores current technological limitations.

According to Walsh, the hype surrounding AGI and other technologies is reshaping investment strategies and labor market expectations without a solid foundation in reality. He emphasizes that such claims, like “AGI by 2027,” are not just speculative but have immediate financial implications, influencing how billions in capital are allocated.

The discussion also references the historical context provided by philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe, who argued that moral philosophy requires a comprehensive understanding of the mind—something we still lack today. Walsh draws parallels to the challenges in developing AGI, stating, “Upload consciousness, problem solved” fails to address the complex nature of intelligence.

The potential dangers of this hype are underscored by the story of a user who fell into delusions while interacting with a chatbot, convinced he was receiving signals from his future self. This incident echoes the warnings of Joseph Weizenbaum, the creator of the original chatbot, who was alarmed by people’s emotional attachments to technology. In his work, Weizenbaum noted how brief interactions could trigger profound delusional states.

Walsh argues that the tech industry’s fixation on speculative futures is not only misleading but also harmful. For instance, he points out that the Hyperloop hype led cities to waste resources evaluating non-existent transit solutions while ignoring existing transportation needs.

As the tech sector pushes for deregulation and investment based on unfounded claims, Walsh urges a reevaluation of priorities. He believes the industry must recognize the real value of technology, which stands on its own merits rather than on fabricated narratives.

With the future of technology hanging in the balance, Walsh’s critique serves as a timely reminder of the need for a serious approach to technological development. As the conversation around AGI and other advancements continues to evolve, stakeholders must consider the implications of their rhetoric and the reality on the ground.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops, and ponder how the tech culture’s current trajectory could impact the future we are all building together.