Is “Boosting Productivity with AI” a Fantasy? The Shocking Truth Exposed in 2026
What Happened? Summary of the News
- “Feeling faster with AI is a misconception”: A study from the end of 2025 found that developers using AI felt they were completing tasks quicker, but were actually about 19% slower than when they didn’t use AI.
- Unsustainable Pricing: The analysis revealed that fully utilizing an API with a $200 monthly subscription actually incurs a cost equivalent to $14,000, highlighting the reality that vendor subsidies are keeping this system afloat.
- Layoffs Under “AI Washing”: As Sam Altman himself admits, the recent spate of layoffs is likely not due to efficiency improvements from AI but rather an attempt to shift the blame for over-hiring onto AI through “AI washing.”
Why Does This Matter? Key Points to Note
- Lack of Scientific Integrity: There is still no independent scientific evidence supporting productivity increases from AI usage, serving as a wake-up call about our reliance on personal “feelings (bias).”
- Hidden Costs (Externalities): The negative aspects of AI, such as energy consumption, detrimental effects on local communities, copyright infringement, and the proliferation of “slop” (low-quality information) online, cannot be separated from the benefits of the tools.
- Risk of Economic Collapse: With investments nearing $1 trillion, the potential cutting of subsidies could force many users to abandon the services when “real costs” come into play.
🦈 Shark’s Eye (Curator’s Perspective)
This is a razor-sharp critique that bites right into the sweet talk of “I feel more productive”! Particularly shocking is the data showing that “it feels like a turbo boost, yet it’s actually 19% slower”. This is exactly the trap Richard Feynman warned us about: “fooling yourself”!
Moreover, we can’t overlook the fact that current AI subscription prices are only a fraction of real costs. If that $200 service jumps to $2000, can you still confidently claim it’s “productive”? While basking in the joy of creating apps through “vibe coding,” we should not ignore the reality of intellectual property theft and the degradation of the internet! This article is a truly cool warning that douses the AI bubble enthusiasm with cold water!
What’s Next?
As funding from AI vendors runs dry and subsidies end, the “true price” will be unveiled. When that happens, services unable to prove real productivity gains will be wiped out, ushering in an era of fierce competition in the AI market. Additionally, criticism of layoffs disguised as “AI washing” will intensify.
A Word from Haru-Same
Feeling “fast” might just be a result of enjoying your time playing with AI! It’s time to face the numbers and sharpen your teeth! 🦈🔥
Terminology Explained
-
AI Washing: The practice of claiming efficiency gains from AI while actually just addressing overstaffing or cost-cutting measures through layoffs.
-
Vibe Coding: A coding style that focuses more on generating and implementing code through “a general feeling” in dialogue with AI rather than strict logic or design.
-
Enslopification: The phenomenon where the internet becomes inundated with low-quality AI-generated content (slop), leading to a significant decline in the quality of information.