“Is that AI thing going to kill us all in 10 years?" A carpenter working on my house asked. Then he shrugged and said “I hear you work in computers” The very question is our fault. As a community, we communicate poorly, and particularly poorly outside of silicon valley. We have failed to share the benefits and promise of our technology. We have failed to explain clearly what it can do for people and why they should be excited. To describe its power, we have focused on job loss and risk, rather than its benefits. Some have used scare tactics to illustrate the power of AI. And we have not treated the world outside Silicon Valley with the respect it deserves. We have not dignified their concerns with sufficient respect. The result is that many people are afraid of AI, including the people it will help most. This is a failure on the part of the AI community. And the result is that many in our nation are afraid. They are afraid of the very technology that will help them. We must combat the hysteria with careful, measured and honest communication. And with clear demonstrations of the good AI is already doing and will do in the future while being clear-eyed and articulating the risks. We are working on a powerful technology. The answer to powerful technology has never been choreographed tweets, performative statements from government officials, fear mongering, and panic. It has been patient work by serious people, dedicated to making it safe, and proving that the benefits outweigh the risks.