Are AI Courses Legit? How to Differentiate Tutorial from Scam
Australian Financial Review
SKIPPED
Details
- Date Published
- 29 Jan 2026
- Priority Score
- 1
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 1 Feb 2026, 12:45 am
Description
Social media is a-slosh with experts spruiking “Five genius ways to make money from home” or “automate your day job so you can focus on your side hustle”.
Summary
The article delves into the phenomenon of 'AI-maxxing,' a term used to describe individuals being lured by exaggerated claims of success through online AI courses and productivity hacks. It critiques the rise of self-proclaimed experts offering dubious shortcuts to proficiency in AI and related fields, often via social media. While the content primarily targets consumer awareness and doesn't deeply explore existential or catastrophic AI risks, it highlights a concerning trend impacting the perception of AI skills development. Although it doesn't directly relate to AI safety policy or governance, it underscores the need for credible educational frameworks in technology sectors, which could indirectly influence AI safety standards globally.
Body
Rachael BoltonWork and careers reporterUpdated Jan 29, 2026 – 2.35pm, first published at 2.32pmYou might have heard of looksmaxxing (trying to “max out” your attractiveness), and maybe you’ve heard of T-maxxing (men trying to boost their testosterone levels through extreme dieting and questionable drugs and supplements).Another iteration of the trend is something I’m going to call “AI-maxxing” or “productivity-maxxing”, references to which can be found on YouTube and TikTok, but have not been reported in mainstream publications.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreWorkplaceAIJobsCareersStart-upsSelf-employmentAnalysisRachael BoltonWork and careers reporterRachael Bolton is a work and careers reporter for The Australian Financial Review. Email Rachael at rachael.bolton@afr.comFetching latest articles