The Mirage of AI Hallucinations

What if the words we use to describe AI are misleading us—and even shaping how we regulate, trust, and collaborate with technology itself? In this revelatory episode of the Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with Anna Mills and Nate Angell, co-authors of a provocative new paper arguing that the term “AI hallucination” may be doing more harm than good. Together, they explore why “mirage” is a much better metaphor for those times AI gets things wrong—one that empowers human users and encourages critical thinking, rather than mystifying the technology or making it seem almost sentient. Topics Covered:Background and Motivation for the AI “Mirage” PaperOrigins and Issues with the Term “AI Hallucination”The Case for “AI Mirage” as a Better MetaphorDeep Dive into the Mirage MetaphorPower Dynamics, Language, and Metaphors in AI DiscourseImplications for Educators, Technologists, and PolicymakersThe Publication Process and Interdisciplinary CollaborationAdoption, Use, and Evolution of AI TerminologyHuman Agency, Hope, and Creativity in AI’s Future Connect with Anna Mills and Nate Angell:LinkedIn: Anna Mills + Nate AngellPaper: Are We Tripping? The Mirage of AI Hallucinations Episode Chapters 00:00:05 – Welcome and introductions: Why language matters in AI00:02:24 – Anna and Nate introduce their work and the AI Mirage paper00:05:07 – Where did “hallucination” come from—and why is it problematic?00:08:49 – How metaphors shape policy, public understanding, and AI design00:10:18 – The problematic implications of “hallucination”: Stigma and technical misconceptions00:11:48 – Unpacking the “mirage” metaphor: Origins, process, and collaborative input00:18:44 – Why “mirage” works: Human judgment, desire, and skepticism00:22:02 – The complexity of AI “mirages” versus human interpretation00:25:49 – Language, power dynamics, and shaping critical AI literacy00:32:05 – Advice for educators and technologists: Building agency and literacy00:33:08 – What would change if “mirage” replaced “hallucination”?00:35:21 – Interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of social discourse00:38:33 – Practical tips for adopting better language about AI00:39:23 – Staying hopeful and humanistic in a rapidly evolving tech landscape00:41:30 – When AI “mirages” are actually “rainbows”: Embracing creative delight00:42:37 – Closing thanks and reflections