Felienne Hermans warns about AI hype and disappointment

Digital strategist Ilyaz Nasrullah and Professor of Computer Science Felienne Hermans consider artificial intelligence (AI) as an ambiguous concept that evokes a range of meanings. During a debate on September 21, 2026, this topic will be explored by various stakeholders, including believers, skeptics, and doom prophets. This debate reflects how the meaning people assign to technology influences their expectations and disappointments regarding AI. A recognizable hype cycle occurs, starting with an initial trigger, rising expectations, and then a backlash into reality.

According to Nasrullah, AI is not truly intelligent and the term often does not encapsulate its essence. Hermans argues that AI is not a coherent technology but rather a collective term for software. This creates a confusion that leads to both positive and negative perceptions of AI, akin to a deity that fascinates while instilling fear. These 'containers' of hope and fear result from the diverse interpretations of the concept, which influence people's values and expectations.

The article describes how the hype cycle surrounding AI reveals a pattern that is also visible in other technologies. After the stage of unrealistic expectations often comes disillusionment, where the technology fails to meet high hopes. Misleading terminology, such as 'smart' smartphones, contributes to this issue by painting an incorrect picture of what AI can actually do. Historical technological revolutions are mentioned for comparison: such as the steam engine and the internet, which reinforces the perception of AI as a radical change. Here lies the danger due to the expectations assigned to AI, which can lead to disappointment.

There is also a discussion about the possibility of AI showing empathy. Professor of Psychiatry Iris Sommer believes in the potential of AI for mental support, while critics like Hermans argue that empathetic interactions are more a projection of human expectations. The author states that AI cannot possess genuine emotions or empathy but simply responds to input prompts. This merging of human experience and artificial interaction raises questions about belief in AI and the need to recognize the artificiality of these systems.

Read the full article from AI Insider.