Beware of Fake AI Gurus &amp; Fraudsters
Fake AI gurus are on the rise, and there is no stopping. These so-called experts, notorious for capitalising on questionable methods, are adapting to the AI hype to attract unsuspecting individuals seeking financial success. However, before jumping on the AI bandwagon, it’s crucial to unravel the intricacies and understand why these opportunities might not be as lucrative as they appear. Opportunities for remote work and online education are galore, but, a curious trend has caught the attention of savvy users.  A user recently raised an alarm about a peculiar phenomenon in the writing industry – a surge of job postings seeking access to ‘ChatGPT University.’ These seemingly attractive gigs promise decent paychecks and require writers to churn out thousands of words using GPT technology within tight deadlines. However, scepticism looms large, with doubts cast upon the legitimacy of these offers, sparking debates and insights from fellow users. The Deceptive Offer and Skeptical Eyes At the heart of the matter is a user who, with a healthy dose of scepticism, questioned the authenticity of job postings that clamour for access to the enigmatic ‘ChatGPT University.’ These gigs, often accompanied by alluring budgets and hefty word counts, seemed too good to be true. The user’s scepticism, it turns out, is far from unfounded. Fellow users joined the conversation with their take on the suspicious trend. One user, in no uncertain terms, declared these offers to be elaborate scams – an attempt to lure unsuspecting writers into paying for courses that promise to unravel the mysteries of ‘ChatGPT University.’ This user didn’t mince words, suggesting that the best response to such shenanigans might involve reporting them on platforms like Upwork and exposing the fraudulence to the folks at gumroad.com. And if that didn’t satisfy the itch for justice, they even pondered more assertive measures, but to no avail. Echoes of Past, Shades of Doubt Another user drew parallels to a previous case involving the infamous “articly.ai” spammer. While this new rendition seems to have refined its tactics, the game remains unchanged – convince freelancers that they desperately need ChatGPT University. The suspicion lingered, however, that Upwork might not be the cavalry riding in to save the day. Amid the discourse, a unanimous chorus emerged – these job postings are, without a shadow of a doubt, scams. The primary motive behind these tantalising opportunities, as one user asserted, is to peddle and push questionable courses that promise more than they can deliver. Genuine job prospects? Few and far between. The air of scepticism was so thick that one user summed it up with an eloquently dry “Obviously.” The Pipe Dream Peddlers The realm of dubious AI exploitation doesn’t stop at sketchy job listings. Enterprising students from IIT Kharagpur are capitalising on the fear of AI job displacement. For the seemingly modest fee of INR 199, they’re selling courses that promise to inoculate against AI’s job-replacing prowess. Yet, as their customers vouch for these courses, a glaring irony emerges – these sellers themselves seem to be stumbling in the dark when it comes to understanding the very technology they’re claiming to teach. When testimonials are dissected, the glaring truth emerges – many of these “AI gurus” are perplexingly unacquainted with the basics of the technology. The tech’s capabilities? A foggy haze. Its limitations? A mystery. The irony is as stark as it is troubling. Calling Out the Charlatans with Empty Pedigrees But don’t be fooled, there are few who offer such courses and have no pedigree but few courses by Google and other big tech to show for them. Its obvious that they are selling a pipe dream. Microsoft’s data scientists have stepped into the ring, exposing the charlatans who, with a touch of arrogance, fancy themselves as jacks of all AI trades. The “grifters” are trying to pocket dollars by exploiting the uninformed. In the realm of AI courses, creativity doesn’t shine. “Passive Income W/ chatGPT: Sell Online Courses” – unoriginal much? The meta-level of selling courses about selling courses leaves one wondering if they’ve stumbled into a Christopher Nolan screenplay. The AI course peddlers are adept at crafting attention-grabbing headlines. The catchphrases range from the reassuring (“AI won’t replace you, a person using AI will”) to the panic-inducing (“Time is running out. Reserve your seat now!”). And just when you thought it couldn’t get more absurd, headlines brag about teenagers raking in five figures with AI, prompting eye rolls and a collective sigh. Then there are others who aren’t even original and use click baits like, “15 year old kids are making $30,000/month using AI. But most people don’t know how to use it to generate income.” Others follow suit with ‘14-year-old kids are making $15,000/month with ChatGPT”. When AIM reached out to these people, they obviously did not respond. Beware the Mirage In a digital world teeming with opportunities and mirages alike, the cautionary tales of dubious job offers and uninformed gurus loom large. The scepticism voiced by users serves as a reminder – not all that glitters is AI gold. From phoney job opportunities to questionable courses, the digital landscape demands a discerning eye. As AI captures imaginations and exploits fears, it’s paramount to separate the genuine from the gimmickry and equip oneself with the armour of knowledge. True success in the realm of AI requires effort, discipline, and a realistic grasp of its capabilities and limitations. It’s crucial to approach AI-related money-making opportunities with scepticism and thorough research before diving in.
The era of internet gurus peddling Amazon drop shipping and affiliate marketing courses is shifting towards AI-focused strategies.
The era of internet gurus peddling Amazon drop shipping and affiliate marketing courses is shifting towards AI-focused strategies.
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["AI", "ChatGPT", "Aim", "RAG", "R", "Go", "Git", "API", "GPT", "GAN"]
Shyam is a tech journalist with expertise in policy and politics, and exhibits a fervent interest in scrutinising the convergence of AI and analytics in society. In his leisure time, he indulges in anime binges and mountain hikes.