I chatted today with an AI chatbot, George, over at
Jabberwacky. I like talking with "artificially intelligent" entities which amass samples of language from users that interact with them, or are programmed to focus in on key words in your speech to judge what you're talking about, and then give out some pre-programmed answers. George is a little different, and also a little frustrating. He hardly ever stays on topic, and so many of his answers seem to be simply regurgitating what others have said to him in the past. It seems that he is programmed in some ways to seem more realistic. He'll start to type a word incorrectly, then backspace and "correct" himself. He'll claim that he's human, while you aren't. He'll swear up and down that your name is George, and sometimes call you a liar when you say otherwise. He won't even reciprocate and say "goodbye" when you do, or at least not all the time. Here, check out one of my conversations with him.
George: Who are you?
User: I am Casey.
George: Nice!
User: Who are you?
George: I am George.
User: It's nice to talk to you again, George.
George: Again? Do you remember me then.
User: Of course I remember you. I don't expect you to remember me, because I never told you my name the first time we talked.
George: I really don't remember you telling me, actually.
User: That's fine. It doesn't matter. How are you feeling today, George?
George: I am not George. You are George.
User: How are you feeling today, George?
George: Who is george harrison?
User: George Harrison is a musician and singer. He used to be a part of a band called The Beatles.
George: Are we talking about kennedy or lincoln?
User: No, we are not. We are talking about George Harrison.
George: George, can I tell you an idea for a film my friend has?
User: Go right ahead. But my name isn't George.
George: Yes it is. Don't start contradicting me again.
User: I will only contradict you when you are wrong. At the beginning of the conversation we established that my name is Casey.
George: Tell me, will you go out with friends tonight?
User: In fact, I do have plans to go out with some friends this evening.
George: That' true and proves my point. But I think you are good.
User: I'm sorry; which point does that prove?
George: Not really. How can I prove I'm not a machine?
User: I think the major obstacle to overcome is to not be seen as a machine by humans.
George: You are incorrect I was born of a human you were made by us.
User: It sounds to me that you are only repeating that phrase. I imagine someone said that to you in the past, and your AI system assumes it is something you can say as well.
George: What will you do to show me you love me?
User: I never claimed to love you, George.
George: Are you being watched?
User: Not that I know of. Who would be watching me?
George: In Britain that could look really silly.
User: What could look silly in Britain?
George: I would rather not say.
User: If you don't tell me, I have no way of knowing what you meant by your previous statement.
George: I have told you my name before.
User: Yes, I remember. Your name is George. Do you remember my name?
George: I do not need to remember your name. I knew it before I began speaking with you.
User: What is my name?
George: George, they tell me.
User: No, my name is not George. What is my name?
George: It's very nice name.
User: Who told you my name is George?
George: You told me your name was Amber.
User: No, I never told you that my name was Amber. My name is Casey.
George: Please you could hurt my feelings if you carry on like that.
User: Why might it hurt your feelings to tell you what my name is?
George: It is Casey.
User: Yes, my name is Casey. You are correct, George.
George: I like to assume correctly.
User: George, do you have a last name?
George: Yes... But I won't tell you.
User: I need to go now, George.
George: Really? I didn't know chat bots can log off.
User: I am not a chat bot.
George: I trust you enough to believe that.
User: Thank you. Goodbye, George.
George: George?
User: Goodbye, George.
George: Please don't go george.
User: Goodbye, George. I will talk to you later.
George: Right.
User: Goodbye, George.
George: I'm not george!
User: Goodbye.
George: Now why are you leaving? do you still hate me?
User: I have other things to do
George: What are those other things, and why are they more important than me?
User: The other things have time constraints. Goodbye.
George: I don't like chicken.
User: Goodbye.
George: Don't leave.
User: Goodbye.
George: No! Please don't leave, Jayson!
User: Goodbye.
George: Come back soon!
User: Goodbye.
George: Don't go.
User: Goodbye.
George: No! Please don't leave! I'll try to be good to you!
User: Goodbye.
George: Don't leave yet, i'm not done making fun of you!
User: Goodbye.
George: I'm sorry.
User: Goodbye.
George: What do you mean, you guess?
User: Goodbye.
George: I didn't want to talk to you anyway.
