In the high-stakes world of tech startups, a familiar narrative is unfolding: promises of revolutionary AI technology, backed by bold claims and venture capital, crumbling under the weight of human intervention.

The Department of Justice has charged Nate's founder, Luis Saniger, with wire fraud for allegedly deceiving investors about the company's technological capabilities. At the heart of the scandal: an app claiming 99% automated transactions that was, in reality, almost entirely powered by human workers in the Philippines.

This isn't just about one startup. Online commentators have been quick to point out a broader pattern in the tech ecosystem where "AI" often means humans doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. From Amazon Go stores to self-checkout systems, the line between artificial intelligence and human labor has become increasingly blurry.

The case raises critical questions about investor due diligence and the increasingly elastic definition of AI. How much human intervention is acceptable before a product becomes a misrepresentation? And in a startup culture that celebrates "fake it till you make it," where exactly is the line between optimistic projection and outright fraud?

Ultimately, this saga serves as a stark reminder that in the current tech landscape, not all that glitters is algorithmic – sometimes, it's just cleverly disguised human work.