Pure noise
No concrete capability, no pricing, no timeline. “AI will transform everything.” Buy nothing.
AI Bullshit Detector
Rate the Hype
A tool for separating useful AI claims from marketing noise. We use a simple four-point scale. Use it when reading a headline, evaluating a vendor, or deciding whether to buy.
The scale
Four levels
Mostly noise
A real product exists, but the claim is 10x the evidence. Wait six months, compare to a free alternative.
Actually useful
A specific, verifiable capability. There is a price, and it is justified for a defined use case. Try the free tier or a local alternative first.
Worth your money
Durable, widely adopted, and the cost is lower than the value. Buy it, or build it if you can.
How to use it
A 60-second test
- What specific job does this AI do? If the answer is “improve workflows,” stop.
- What does it cost, and what is the free or local alternative?
- Who has paid for it publicly and reported a measurable result?
- If all three are answered, rate it 2 or 3. If not, rate it 0 or 1.