Artificial intelligence alarmists named 2015’s worst luddites

Remember when the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) put out its shortlist for the ITIF Luddite Award, that annual celebration (?) of those who had sought to “foil technological progress” most in 2015?
Well, the public votes have been counted and the ITIF declared a winner on Tuesday — Artificial Intelligence alarmists. “Such alarmism distracts attention from the enormous benefits that AI can offer society,” the ITIF said in a statement.
As you might be aware, this nebulous group of “alarmists” includes major tech and science names like Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking. In the statement announcing the winner of the Luddite Award the ITIF made it clear that they do not consider Musk and Hawking themselves to be luddites. However, the fact remains that the duo, and others, have contributed to the sense of fear surrounding AI.
“They and others have done a disservice to the public—and have unquestionably given aid and comfort to an increasingly pervasive neo-Luddite impulse in society today—by demonizing AI in the popular imagination,” ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson said.
Congratulations (?) to the winners.