Stanford AI Report: Credible or Just Marketing?

April 14, 2025

dino orange_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumbNo AI. Just a dinobaby sharing an observation about younger managers and their innocence.

I am not sure I believe reports or much of anything from Stanford University. Let me explain my skepticism. Here’s one of the snips a quick search provided:

image

I think it was William James said great things about Stanford University when he bumped into the distinguished outfit. If Billie was cranking out Substacks, he would probably be quite careful in using words like “leadership,” “ethical behavior,” and the moral sanctity of big thinkers. Presidents don’t get hired like a temporary worker in front of Home Depot. There is a process, and it quite clear the process and the people and cultural process at the university failed. Failed spectacularly.

Stanford hired and retained a cheater if the news reports are accurate.

Now let’s look at “The 2025 AI Index Report.”

The document’s tone is one of lofty pronouncements.

Stanford mixes comments about smart software with statements like “

Global AI optimism is rising—but deep regional divides remain.

Yep, I would submit that AI-equipped weapons are examples of “regional divides.”

I think this report is:

  1. Marketing for Stanford’s smart software activities
  2. A reminder that another country (China) is getting really capable in smart software and may zip right past the noodlers in the Gates Computer Science Building
  3. Stanford wants to be a thought leader which helps the “image” of the school, the students, the faculty, and the wretches in fund raising who face a tough slog in the years ahead.

For me personally, I think the “report” should be viewed with skepticism. Why? A university which hires a cheater makes quite clear that the silly notions of William James are irrelevant.

I am not sure they are.

Stephen E Arnold, April 14, 2025

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