Linux creator Linus Torvalds labels AI industry as 90 percent marketing

The guy behind the Linux kernel, Linus Torvalds, isn’t exactly thrilled about how artificial intelligence is going, calling it more about hype than real-world use.

At the Open Source Summit in Vienna, Linus Torvalds shared his thoughts, saying today’s AI scene feels like “90 percent marketing and 10 percent reality.”

While he admitted that machine learning and generative AI could make a real difference someday, Torvalds wasn’t shy about knocking the surrounding buzz all over. He made it clear that he’s not jumping on the AI bandwagon anytime soon and would rather wait for the tech to mature. 

Torvalds said he expects AI to make much more sense over the next few years, with machine learning and generative algorithms becoming more valuable and practical. In his view, we’ll soon have a better idea of what AI can actually do to make everyday tasks easier.

Torvalds did give credit where it's due, saying that tools like ChatGPT are cool tech demos and have their uses, especially in areas like graphic design. But he kept returning to how the whole AI industry feels overhyped by flashy marketing and high market valuations, with Nvidia being a prime example.

His perspective aligns with recent statements from other tech leaders, including Baidu's CEO, who predicted that 99 percent of current AI companies would ultimately fail.