AP Stylebook bans saying AI "thinks" or "feels"; philosophers call it anti-intellectual
nitarshan · x · 2026-09-24
The AP Stylebook told journalists that AI systems do not think, feel, want or understand, urging them to avoid anthropomorphizing and instead describe what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who is affected.
The guidance drew sharp backlash: Andy Masley called it "completely insane" and "deeply anti-intellectual," asking whether dogs don't feel or want things, arguing the culture now refuses to even consider that philosophy of mind is complicated. The spat highlights the framing fight over how AI should be described.
Related event: AP Stylebook Bans Anthropomorphizing AI, Drawing Widespread Backlash(13 posts)→
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