AI Cartoon of The Year — and five (re)readings for 2026

2025-06-07 · Source: Marcus on AI · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Intermediate, quick

Summary

The article awards Tom Fishburne the "best AI cartoon of 2025" prize, highlighting his 2023 cartoon on "The Fishburne Effect" as prescient. It then presents five essays from 2025 for critical thinking about AI in 2026, particularly addressing concerns about generative AI's potential limitations. The essays cover topics such as why Large Language Models (LLMs) hallucinate, the critical importance of generalization in AI, fundamental differences between LLMs and human cognition, the necessity of world models, and the prediction that neurosymbolic AI will eventually displace pure LLMs. The author suggests that the dominance of LLMs may soon wane as more robust approaches emerge.

Key takeaway

For research scientists evaluating the long-term viability of current AI paradigms, you should critically assess the inherent limitations of pure LLMs, particularly regarding hallucination and generalization. Consider exploring the foundational concepts of world models and neurosymbolic AI as potential pathways for more sound and effective future AI development.

Key insights

The future of AI may shift from pure LLMs to more robust, neurosymbolic approaches addressing current limitations.

Principles

• Generalization is vital for AI progress.
• LLMs differ fundamentally from human cognition.

In practice

• Review essays on LLM limitations.
• Explore neurosymbolic AI concepts.

Topics

• Large Language Models
• Generative AI
• AI Hallucination
• Neurosymbolic AI
• World Models

Best for: Research Scientist, AI Researcher, AI Scientist, AI Product Manager

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Marcus on AI.