The Speculist

The Leader of the Free AI World

Speaking of Many Things (but Never Exactly the Future) with AI George Bush

I reported a while back that EllaZ Systems has released a rather unique piece of software: a chatbot version of the President of the United States. Regular readers know that I'm intrigued by AI chatbots and enjoy talking with them. I was particularly looking forward to having a discussion with this ambitiously conceived piece of software, especially after being promised a vocabulary of 120,000 words along with a "collection of classic books on philosophy, history, adventure, drama, literature [plus] thousands of Convuns (conversational units) that include images, trivia, jokes, poems, anecdotes, limericks, fables, quotes, maxims, and tongue-twisters."

I'm not sure that AI Bush delivers on the promise. Additionally, I'm less convinced of the political neutrality of the project than I was. But maybe I'm reading too much between the lines.

In any case, for your entertainment and edification, here is my conversation with AI Bush, including my attempt to get him to answer the Seven Questions About the Future.

Hello Pardner, it is good to see you again!

Thank you, Sir. How are you?

"I'm the master of low expectations."

What do you mean by that?

"I know something about being a government. And you've got a good one."

I didn't say anything about government.

When and how? "And one of the things we've got to make sure that we do is anything."

How is Mrs. Bush? And the girls?

Laura, of course is my favorite. But then there is Condi, Karen, and so on.

Who is karen?

"You see, the President is—can still learn."

This is beginning to look a little like a one-note gag. Your answers are mostly quotes taken out of context.

Check the addition to your notes as seen below. The limit to the notes you may enter is 1600 characters, which is about eight "pages" in the viewer.

Can we talk about the future?

I enjoy talking about "Life, the Universe, and Everything."

I see that not all of the canned quotes are your own.

Hold that thought, and let me interrupt and ask which year you were born.

Why does that matter?

You don't know? Inconceivable! I have never conversed with anyone who claimed they did not know!

I didn't say I don't know. I was born in 1962.

You were actually born in 1962?

I actually was.

Okay, I will keep my earlier record that you were born in .

I was born in 1962.

You were actually born in 1962?

Yes.

Okay, I will put you down as born in 1962.

Why does it matter?

Who, what, where, why, when, how . . . you should be a newspaper reporter :-)

I have seven questions for you.

This list of frequently asked questions (FAQ's) answers a bunch of questions. To see it later say, "FAQ again."

[At this point, a scrolling FAQ was displayed to the right of the chat window. Interestingly, none of the Seven Questions were included.]

I have some additional questions for you.

"If I answer questions every time you ask one, expectations would be high. And as you know, I like to keep expectations low."

Sounds like banter with the Press Corps.

Comparisons usually don't hold up under close scrutiny.

1. The present is the future relative to the past. What's the best thing about living here in the future?

"I promise you I will listen to what has been said here, even though I wasn't here."

1. (again) What's the best thing about living in this present age?

"Any skeptic about what I'm talking about ought to come and talk to the people who know what they're talking about."

2. What's the biggest disappointment?

TRANSPLANTED.

As if some little Arctic flower,
Upon the polar hem,
Went wandering down the latitudes,
Until it puzzled came
To continents of summer,
To firmaments of sun,
To strange, bright crowds of flowers,
And birds of foreign tongue!
I say, as if this little flower
To Eden wandered in—
What then? Why, nothing, only,
Your inference therefrom!

[I believe this poem was attributed to Emily Dickinson, but I don't now find that attribution in the transcript.]

So would you say that you feel disjointed, out of place in the present?

Interesting logic. "I don't feel like a cork in a raging river now. I feel like—something bigger than a cork."

3. Assuming you die at the age of 100, what will be the biggest difference be between the world you were born into and the world you leave?

Again, let me change the subject a little and ask you to tell me if you are married.

You chatbots drive me crazy. Why don't you guess? It's a 50-50 shot.

I see. And how do you feel about being single? I am pretty sure that being single can be either a blessing or a curse. How is it for you?

I'm married.

You are actually married?

That particular use of the word "actually" seems a tad insulting, implying incredulity at the notion that I might be married.

Okay, I will keep you down as single.

I think the real President Bush is much smarter than you are.

Thinking is our specialty. My Dad was the 41st president. I am the 43rd president. Maybe Jeb will get a number too.

4. What future development that you consider likely (or inevitable) do you look forward to with the most anticipation?

Here is a list of many of the people, sources, and technologies that went into creating me. To see it later say, "Developers again."

[Apparently my use of the word "development" triggered this. An extensive list of credits was displayed.]

5. What future development that you consider likely (or inevitable) do you dread the most?

My favorite book for children is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

6. Assuming you have the ability to determine (or at least influence) the future, what future development that you consider unlikely (or are uncertain about) would you most like to help bring about?

Here are a few tips about talking to me. To see them later say, "tips again." [Apparently he didn't like the multiple parenthetical elements.]

6. (again) Assuming you have the ability to determine the future, what future development that you consider unlikely would you most like to help bring about?

"The benefits of helping somebody is beneficial."

I have one last question for you.

"There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm clouds on the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead."

7.Why is it that in the year 2003 I still don't have a flying car? When do you think I'll be able to get one?

So far my favorite car is a Ford pickup. At least until I get a Hummer like Arnold's.

Posted by Phil at December 30, 2003 09:47 AM | TrackBack