I don't think ML people belong to the group that believes we are close before human-like AI. In fact, I think they are some of the few ones in touch about how f

I don't think ML people belong to the group that believes we are close before human-like AI. In fact, I think they are some of the few ones in touch about how far away it still is. As it should be. Even a few years ago, I worked as a student at a Big4 and these firms ran out for "technology consulting" and told their clients about AI this, AI that and it's gonna be robots taking it all over. Of course those were advertisements, ruses even, for getting audit & tax customers via the "compliance" angle (e.g. cloud compliance laws). But anyway, their is a true craze about AI and autonomous driving which holistically ignores all the major road blocks that we are facing now. It's buzzwords and marketing all over. It's the Gluten-intolerance of technology. According to general public media we are 2-5 years away from level 5 autonomy. Ask people at Waymo about the issues they face...