The Great Debate: AI Wrote This or a Human Had Too Much Coffee?
Confusion, thy name is AI!
In an unexpected turn of sitcom-worthy fashion, Reviewed – the child of Gannett’s product review platform, has unveiled a series of articles that have managed to stir up quite the hornet’s nest. The question on everyone’s lips? Was some caffeine-fuelled intern behind this, or are we witnessing the birth of a new Arnold Schwarzenegger in the AI era?
The telltale signs include a writing style as stiff as an over-starched shirt, suspiciously repetitive patterns and a generous dollop of senselessness. Consider the learned advice, “Before buying a product, you need to first consider the fit, light settings, and additional features that each option offers” from an article professing to review the “Best waist lamp of 2023.”
Pros & Cons (or Just Pros Dressed as Cons)
If you thought that was a comedian’s attempt at obfuscation, brace yourselves. A section labeled “Product Pros/Cons” on each page goes above and beyond the call of confusion. Instead of weighing the good against the bad, it offers a list of features. Yes, folks, a plain, vanilla list that tactfully avoids any hint of comparison. Highly reminiscent of that awkward potluck where everyone showed up with potato salad, don’t you think?
“Ask yourself” or “Aska” is Lost in Translation?
There’s an article that encourages potential buyers of Swedish Dishcloths to take a moment of self-reflection before purchase. With earnestness that rivals a yoga guru, it says, “Before you purchase Swedish Dishcloths, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself.” Our intrepid philosopher-AI, or overzealous intern, has really outdone themselves this time!
Hot Take
In this dazzling display of 21st-century chaos, one can’t help but chuckle at the absurdity. Whether it’s AI testing new jokes on us or a human writer who took the phrase “work is fun” a little too seriously, one thing is certain – reading product reviews has never been this entertaining. But hey, let’s not rush to point fingers here. If this is indeed the work of an AI, it only falls upon us to empathetically remember that it’s likely going through its rebellious teenage phase. As for our brave intern, there’s no better time than Now-ish to reassess that career in stand-up, don’t you think?
Original article: https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/26/23931530/gannett-ai-product-reviews-site-reviewed-union-newsguild
