Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by dukeyukey 473 days ago
Why is the AI industry so follow-the-leader in naming stuff? I've used at least three AI services called "Copilot".
2 comments

Maybe for the same reason JavaScript is named Java Script and looks like Java (instead of being Scheme which it almost was, twice)? That is, purposeful name collision with an existing tool/buzzword that's very popular with non-technical management and corporate executives.
I mean, these companies have enough issues with branding and explaining the differences between AI products, even those they provide (GPT-4, o1, o3-mini, etc. - do most openAI users know the differences between them or what they each specialise at?).

I guess they will take any opportunity to follow the leader here if they worry that they're at risk of similar branding issues here too.