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usonian

(21,735 posts)
Tue Oct 31, 2023, 11:42 PM Oct 2023

Microsoft AI inserted a distasteful poll into a news report about a woman's death

Details here:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/31/23940298/ai-generated-poll-guardian-microsoft-start-news-aggregation
But the Guardian article is a bit more readable, IMO.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/oct/31/microsoft-accused-of-damaging-guardians-reputation-with-ai-generated-poll

The Guardian has accused Microsoft of damaging its journalistic reputation by publishing an AI-generated poll speculating on the cause of a woman’s death next to an article by the news publisher.

Microsoft’s news aggregation service published the automated poll next to a Guardian story about the death of Lilie James, a 21-year-old water polo coach who was found dead with serious head injuries at a school in Sydney last week.

The poll, created by an AI program, asked: “What do you think is the reason behind the woman’s death?” Readers were then asked to choose from three options: murder, accident or suicide.

Readers reacted angrily to the poll, which has subsequently been taken down – although highly critical reader comments on the deleted survey were still online as of Tuesday morning.


In my opinion, AI or any other doodad adopted without someone with even half a conscience checking it, is just techno-buffoonery. People make these decisions (including the decision not to decide) and with a “Who gives a shit, it’s new and shiny” attitude, the results are predictably bad.

Nobody seems to ask “What could possibly go wrong?” And that is the standard mockery of software. A bazillion things can go wrong with software, but NOBODY CARES, NOBODY CHECKS. Just rush it out the door and into production.

And have a great evening!
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Microsoft AI inserted a distasteful poll into a news report about a woman's death (Original Post) usonian Oct 2023 OP
I wonder which one it was? ChicagoComrade Nov 2023 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author jfz9580m Nov 2023 #2
Thanks for posting this, usonian. Another AI horror story. I wish I thought we were near the end of them, but highplainsdem Nov 2023 #3
I doubt we're near the end canetoad Nov 2023 #4
Hi jfz9580m Nov 2023 #5
Haven't been turning rocks over lately canetoad Nov 2023 #6
Same here jfz9580m Nov 2023 #7

Response to usonian (Original post)

highplainsdem

(58,728 posts)
3. Thanks for posting this, usonian. Another AI horror story. I wish I thought we were near the end of them, but
Wed Nov 1, 2023, 12:33 AM
Nov 2023

with the insane rush to implement AI and profit from it, they're just beginning.

canetoad

(19,685 posts)
6. Haven't been turning rocks over lately
Wed Nov 1, 2023, 12:57 AM
Nov 2023

Hit by couple of weeks bad weather and high seas, but I miss the little guys.

From time to time I need to forget AI, Trump, Middle east, Putin and all the rest of the rich/religious/scamming bastards out there and just wander the rocks. Sigh....

jfz9580m

(15,964 posts)
7. Same here
Wed Nov 1, 2023, 01:11 AM
Nov 2023

I totally hear you . I am going to take a walk in my yard and see what birds I (well okay more accurately birdnet) can spot.

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