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muriel_volestrangler

(104,380 posts)

6. The odd thing is that the "uses Indian programmers" scam was exposed in 2019

Wed Jun 4, 2025, 02:46 PM

Jun 4

and yet groups (including Microsoft?) were still investing in it in 2023:

Between 2018 and 2023, Builder.ai secured an impressive $445 million in VC funding. Backers included high-profile investors like Microsoft and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).

Microsoft’s involvement elevated the company to unicorn status, with Builder.ai securing a valuation of $1.5bn in 2023, as well as global recognition as a leading AI innovator.
...
A 2019 report in the Wall Street Journal burst Builder.ai’s (then known as Engineer.ai) bubble by debunking its claims to use AI for software development. It turned out that the app was largely powered by an assembly line of human developers in India, responding to user requests in real-time. The promise of AI-powered app development was a gimmick.

This revelation, combined with claims of fake customer reviews and logos of companies they hadn’t worked with advertised on their site, left a stain on Builder.ai’s reputation.

https://startups.co.uk/news/builder-ai-collapse/

In 2019, I suspect people didn't expect a quick reply from "AI" for programming.

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erronis

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"AI" coding chatbot funded by Microsoft were Actually Indians [View all] erronis Jun 3 OP

In the age of autotune and other fakes, a fake of a fake is to be expected. John1956PA Jun 3 #1

Generative AI tools can respond (often with an incorrect answer) literally within seconds. There's no way highplainsdem Jun 3 #2

Agreed! SheltieLover Jun 3 #3

I wonder if the interface didn't show spinning wheels and messages of encouragement erronis Jun 3 #4

I don't think anyone familiar with AI would fall for that. highplainsdem Jun 3 #5

The odd thing is that the "uses Indian programmers" scam was exposed in 2019 muriel_volestrangler Jun 4 #6

You mean AI is "artificial"? Wonder Why Jun 13 #7