AI's impact on society is multifaceted, with developments ranging from disappointing robotic pets to concerns about romance scams, even as its effects remain largely unseen in macroeconomic data. While some are frustrated by the reality of AI companions, others are wary of its potential for deception, and economists are still waiting for AI to make a clear impact on productivity.
One example of the complex relationship with AI is the experience of Robert Hart, a reporter at The Verge, who found his AI pet, Moflin, to be more of a "nuisance" than a source of calm. Hart, who wrote about his experience on February 15, 2026, compared the experience to his mother's dislike of her Furby.
Simultaneously, the rise of AI has sparked concerns about romance scams. Shayna Korol, a Future Perfect fellow at Vox, highlighted the prevalence of these scams, which often increase around Valentine's Day. These scams cost Americans $3 billion last year alone, and that number is likely an undercount, according to Korol.
Despite the rapid advancements in AI, its impact on the broader economy remains unclear. Torsten Slok, Chief Economist at Apollo, noted that AI's influence has yet to manifest in macroeconomic data. He recalled economist Robert Solow's observation from the 1980s about computers: "You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics." Slok observed the same could be said about AI, as data on employment, productivity, and inflation still don't show signs of the new technology.
The development of AI is also a subject of intense competition. VentureBeat reported on the "limestone race" between companies like Nvidia and Groq, highlighting the challenges of exponential growth in the field.
While some are skeptical of AI's current impact, others are exploring its potential. Sean Illing, host of The Gray Area podcast, suggests that games, which are often dismissed as trivial, offer insights into human agency. Games, according to Illing, show us "what it means to choose goals, submit to constraints, and care deeply about things that don't obviously matter."
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