Simon Willison • 4/25/2026

The people do not yearn for automation

This article by Nilay Patel examines the disconnect between tech enthusiasts and the general public regarding AI and automation. It argues that people with 'software brain'—who view the world through automation and data—are detached from others who resist being flattened into databases. Despite skyrocketing ChatGPT usage, regular people do not yearn for automation, as seen in the struggle of tech giants to popularize smart home tech. The piece critiques the over-application of software thinking to all human experiences.

0 comments

#user experience #automation #ai