Economist Novosad: AI detector debates trip over FPR vs FNR confusion

paulnovosad · x · 2026-09-24

Economist Paul Novosad, discussing the Notre Dame AI-detector paper, argues the public confusion around AI detection largely stems from people conflating false positive and false negative rates—most social media users won't do the extra analytical thinking needed. He considers Pangram the only detector whose results matter ("the others are junk") and says there's both genuine confusion and intentional obtuseness among detection opponents.

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