I wondered a few entries ago about AI, and what it stands for, because I get the “artificial,” but not the “intelligence.” I, again, can see AI as artificial understanding, or artificial cognition, but not anything intelligent. Maybe my problem is I shouldn’t get beyond the word artificial in the first place.
Now I guess I can add – I dunno – artificial sincerity? Or maybe artificial civility. In fact, that seems to be an actual AI selling point, as evidenced by the TV ad I saw recently. Some co-worker had been taking this guy’s puddings or something. He angrily pounds out an email to his colleagues, threatening to execute the thief. Then he hits a button (Yeah, he hit a button. Enter this.) and presto! His email is all sweet and understanding.
So, of course, someone ‘fesses up. So now this guy’s sitting there, and in reality he’s actually seething, and the criminal is standing next to him, empty pudding cup offered as a confession. What button does he hit, now?