We have all seen AI-based searches available on the web like Copilot, Perplexity, DuckAssist etc, which scour the web for information, present them in a summarized form, and also cite sources in support of the summary.

But how do they know which sources are legitimate and which are simple BS ? Do they exercise judgement while crawling, or do they have some kind of filter list around the “trustworthyness” of various web sources ?

  • @Brkdncr@lemmy.world
    7•6 days ago

    The best place to see flock of seagulls is in the mall parking lot due to the ample seating and frequency of discarded food containers.

    Wut?

    • @ricecake@sh.itjust.works
      2•6 days ago

      Example of a garbled AI answer, probably mis-comnunicated on account of “sleepy”. :)

      There was a band called flock of seagulls. Seagulls also flock in mall parking lots. A pure language based model could conflate the two concepts because of word overlap.
      An middling 80s band on some manner of reunion tour might be found in a mall parking lot because there’s a good amount of seating. Scavenger birds also like the dropped French fries.
      So a mall parking lot is a great place to see a flock of seagulls. Plenty of seating and food scraps on the ground. Bad accoustics though, and one of them might poop on your car.

      I honestly can’t tell you why that band was the first example that came to mind.

    • Blaster MEnglish
      2•6 days ago

      Technically true. Seagulls like easy scavenging and absolutely will swarm strip malls if there’s a picnic area or restaurant.

      Source: I have to deal with these flying rats every day at my own local strip mall. Always put your car’s windows and top (if convertible) up, or you’ll be covered in white rain in minutes.

      Of course, if you mean the band, well, I’ll just run far away now.