Engadget Questions July 16 AI Appreciation Day, Urges Readers to Skip It
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Jul 12
Engadget Questions July 16 AI Appreciation Day, Urges Readers to Skip It
2 articles · Updated · Engadget · Jul 12
Summary
July 16's "AI Appreciation Day" drew a blunt rejection from Engadget, which argued the observance does not merit celebration despite AI's growing influence on society and industry.
The outlet cast the day as a marketing-style invention akin to branded food holidays, criticizing calls to "thank" AI builders, persuade skeptics and sign a pledge as contrived promotion.
Engadget instead urged readers to spend the day on human-centered activities such as supporting local artists, seeing friends or enjoying nature rather than using AI chatbots.
The piece frames the pushback as part of a broader unease over AI hype and the real-world costs tied to the technology, including data-center strain.