Intelligence Briefing
Leading computational linguist and vocal AI critic. Co-authored the landmark 2021 "Stochastic Parrots" paper challenging the ethics and environmental costs of large language models. Director of the Computational Linguistics Laboratory at UW. President of the Association for Computational Linguistics in 2024. Fellow of AAAS (2022). Co-authored the 2025 book "The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want."
AB, Linguistics — University of California, Berkeley
MA, Linguistics — Stanford University
PhD, Linguistics — Stanford University
Operational History
Continued Advocacy for AI Ethics
Ongoing efforts in promoting ethical practices in AI development and deployment.
policyPublication of 'The AI Con'
Co-authored a book discussing the implications of AI and strategies to combat Big Tech's influence.
researchPresident of the Association for Computational Linguistics
Elected as president of the ACL, focusing on ethical AI and computational linguistics.
careerFellow of AAAS
Recognized as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
awardPublication of 'On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots'
Co-authored a paper addressing the ethical implications and environmental costs of large language models.
researchAGI Position Assessment
Unknown
Deeply critical of large language models and the AI hype cycle. Argues LLMs do not understand language and that the industry overpromises capabilities. Advocates for accountability, transparency, and centering affected communities in AI development.
Deeply critical of large language models and the AI hype cycle. Argues LLMs do not understand language and that the industry overpromises capabilities. Advocates for accountability, transparency, and centering affected communities in AI development.
Intercepted Communications
“We need to be critical of the promises made by large language models; they do not understand language as we do.”
“Accountability and transparency are crucial in AI development, especially when it affects marginalized communities.”
“The environmental costs of training large models are staggering and often overlooked.”
“We must center the voices of those affected by AI technologies in our discussions and decisions.”
“The hype surrounding AI often overshadows the real challenges we face in its implementation.”
Research Output
The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want
2025A book addressing the challenges posed by AI and strategies for a better future.
The Role of Linguistics in AI
2023Computational Linguistics
Language Technology and AI Ethics
2022AI & Society
On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots
2021Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency
A landmark paper discussing the ethical implications of large language models.
Ethics in NLP: A Survey
2021Natural Language Engineering
Climbing towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data
2020Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research
Challenges in Multilingual NLP
2020Journal of Language Technology
Data Statements for NLP
2018Proceedings of the 2018 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing
Field Intelligence
The Ethics of AI: A Linguist's Perspective
AI and the Future of Language Technology
Stochastic Parrots and the Future of AI
Navigating AI Ethics
Known Associates
Timnit Gebru
collaboratorCo-author on several influential papers and books addressing AI ethics.
View Dossier →Margaret Mitchell
collaboratorCo-author on the 'Stochastic Parrots' paper and advocate for ethical AI.
View Dossier →Angelina McMillan-Major
collaboratorCo-author on the 'Stochastic Parrots' paper, focusing on ethical implications of AI.
View Dossier →Alexandra B. H. A. Bender
collaboratorCo-author on the 'Data Statements for NLP' paper, contributing to ethical practices in NLP.
View Dossier →Organizational Affiliations
Current
University of Washington
Thomas L. and Margo G. Wyckoff Endowed Professor of Linguistics
2003 - Present
Computational Linguistics Laboratory
Director
2003 - Present
Former
Association for Computational Linguistics
President
2024
Commendations
2022
Fellow of AAAS
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Source Material
Dossier last updated: 2026-03-04