AI - how to survive its stupidity?

AI seems to have pride of place on Google these days. And trouble can arise when an innocent unsuspecting crossword player asks Google for help.

Even though Wikipedia is a much more reliable source of information, created by those in the know (ie humans) with cross-checking carried out by even more humans who are knowledgeable on a particular subject, AI has pushed its way into our lives for those who happen to trust whatever comes up first in a Google search.

Readers of the SMH who are addicted to crosswords rarely look for answers on Google (of course, most are too clever to seek online advice!) but when they do, they expect "Dan", whoever he is, to lend a hand.

Recently I was looking for a synonym for "troublemaker" and put the word followed by "Dan word" into Search and accidentally clicked on AI as it came up first at the top of my screen. At that stage AI clearly didn't have a clue about "Dan word" and instead of simply giving me a synonym, decided on a little lecture on grammar, telling me I hadn't formed a complete sentence, then raised the possibility that I might be looking for a crossword clue [How astute!], then suggested Dan himself could be a troublemaker, and finally advising me how to ask a question online.

In AI's own words:

'The phrase "was troublemaker" followed by the word "dan" is incomplete and does not form a complete sentence or phrase in English. It is likely that you are asking for the definition of a word or if "dan" is related to a troublemaker, or perhaps it's part of a crossword clue. 

'To provide a helpful answer, more context is needed:

• If this is a crossword clue:Please provide the number of letters in the word and any other related clues. 

• If "dan" is a name:"Dan" is a common name, and a person with that name could be a troublemaker, but the word itself does not mean troublemaker. 

• If "dan" is not a name:Please provide the complete phrase or sentence you are trying to understand.'

In other words, AI was so very helpful in causing confusion. Just one word 'agitator' would have sufficed.

Am I supposed to play the role of introducing 'Dan word' to AI or AI to 'Dan word' to overcome AI's ignorance?

I've never found Dan to be a troublemaker, and I'd rather keep him onside than pander to AI's misinformation and edicts. So I'll remember to scroll down to avoid AI's garble next time.

Postscript: According to the Oxford, 'to garble' means 'to reproduce (a message, sound, or transmission) in a confused and distorted way'.

Yes, I suggest you take care using AI in future - whether via a blue microchip or an interpretive imposter device of any colour ...

Copyright: text - cv williams; photos - Wix.

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