AP Stylebook's ban on AI anthropomorphism draws philosopher's pushback
dioscuri · x · 2026-09-24
AP Stylebook issued guidance that AI systems do not think, feel, want or understand, urging writers to avoid anthropomorphizing language and instead describe what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who is affected.
Philosopher Dan Williams pushed back: setting aside how confused the guidance is about AI systems, it's extraordinary that AP lumps animals into the same category of "things" that cannot think, feel, want, or understand. The spat highlights how style rules shape public perception of AI (and animal minds).
Related event: AP Stylebook Bans Anthropomorphizing AI, Drawing Widespread Backlash(13 posts)→
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