Welcome to “Dave Is Not AI”—the channel where I, Dave Linthicum, take a critical, no-nonsense look at artificial intelligence. Today, we’re diving into the recent Builder.ai scandal. Marketed as an AI-driven automation platform for app development, Builder.ai promised rapid, low-cost deliveries, supposedly powered by groundbreaking proprietary technology. Turns out, much of the work was actually done by human engineers and contractors behind the scenes—a striking contrast to their bold AI marketing pitch.

This echoes past scandals like Theranos, where ambitious claims were uncritically accepted by eager investors and media. Builder.ai’s misleading automation claims, hidden human labor costs, and ethical failures around disclosure not only hurt customer trust but also damage perceptions of the entire AI industry. When human labor is hidden behind a facade of automation, quality and scalability suffer, customers are misled about what they’re buying, and labor standards are obscured.

As AI hype builds, more startups may bend the truth to attract investment. It’s vital we demand transparency about what’s truly automated versus what’s hand-built in the shadows. Here, we call out the “AI-washing,” hold companies accountable, and help you navigate the AI landscape with your eyes wide open. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation.