Disclaimer: This isn’t about debating AI itself, but rather the sometimes wild claims about what it can do.
Lately, I keep coming across posts that claim some kind of massive productivity boost from AI. Every time I read one of these claims, I find myself asking: compared to what, over what period, and how is productivity being measured?
AI tools can speed up writing code or brainstorming ideas. But, as we know, faster doesn’t automatically mean more output. When someone claims huge gains, it immediately raises the question: is that just feeling faster, or is there real measurable output behind it?
What worries me is how often these numbers get thrown around without any data or context - sometimes it feels more like marketing. Even if the numbers are inflated, I still want to understand what "productive" really means in this context.
So I'm curious: how do you all measure productivity when using AI? Is there anyone actually tracking it in a way that makes these huge claims believable, or are we just mostly going by vibes?
Top comments (4)
I love it! I'm so glad you linked me to this!! I completely agree!! "im so productive...." compared to what? And then you factor in all the time spent redoing the sub-par product that a tool you dont understand created using instructions the tool did not understand? oye...
Exactly, Evan! Couldn't have said it better myself.
I do think the whole AI bubble is built on marketing and FOMO sometimes but - regardless - the productivity claims that are often thrown around are just... crazy!
I think so too. We basically got the next version of Siri marketed as HAL-9000 😂😂
Could not have put it better myself though, perhaps, Siri outsourced to Google!