Reflections from the Relic – EIE
Exploring the World of AI: Is It Really Intelligent?
The AI Experience
Have you ever spoken to an AI? It’s a fascinating trend, providing answers to a wide range of inquiries. I decided to see how well this technology could respond to some local questions, and while the "Artificial" part of AI is undeniably accurate, its "Intelligence" might leave something to be desired.
First Impressions: Local Questions
To kick things off, I wanted to see how AI handles specific regional queries. My first question was, “When will the ice go off Shagawa Lake?” The response? “It depends….” Not very helpful, right? It’s possible the AI doesn’t have detailed knowledge about particular areas and their seasonal changes.
Next, I tried a wildlife-related question: “Should I expect an owl to provide advice on loosening a jar from the nose of a bear?” The AI suggested that I avoid confronting the bear and instead call local wildlife experts for help. While this didn’t touch on my reference to the owl, it was still practical advice.
A Closer Look at Ely, Minnesota
Curious to see how knowledgeable AI was about Ely, Minnesota, I asked, “Where is Ely, Minnesota?” The response indicated it’s in northeastern Saint Louis County near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. However, my knowledge of the area tells me that Ely is actually the landmark and the BWCA is more of a nearby feature. No mention was made of the Vermilion Iron Range, which felt like a missed opportunity.
Ely has a rich history, so when I inquired, “Why was Ely founded?” the AI correctly mentioned the discovery of iron ore. That was encouraging, as it highlighted some important historical details regarding the town’s significance.
Tourist Attractions and Local Insights
Thinking about tourism, I asked, “What tourist attractions does Ely offer?” The AI listed the International Wolf Center and a few others, yet overlooked some local favorites like Zaverl’s or Zup’s famous hot bologna on Thursdays. Other activities like the Burnout Day baseball tournaments also deserved a mention.
Once again, I pressed deeper with a question about local trails: “What kinds of trails are in the area?” The AI stated there are 1,200 miles of canoe routes in the BWCA and numerous snowmobile trails. While accurate, this left out the hard work many locals put into developing the Prospectors Trail network for ATVs and the new bike trail spanning a hundred miles.
Local Lakes and Hidden Gems
When I asked if there are lakes in the area outside of the Boundary Waters, the AI confirmed there are many, naming Shagawa, Fall, and Lake Vermilion. Surprisingly, I recalled that the Chamber of Commerce once claimed there were around 500 lakes within a 20-mile radius of Ely. While the AI did name a few, it missed mentioning other well-loved lakes that locals enjoy.
The Nature of AI Knowledge
Out of curiosity, I asked, “Have you been to Ely?” to which the AI replied, “No, I’m an AI and I don’t have a physical presence, but I can provide information about it." This led me to question where it sources its information. The AI mentioned accessing digital databases, online sources, and knowledge repositories.
Finally, I decided to have a little fun and asked it a quirky question: “Who put the bomp in the bomp ba bomp ba bomp?” The AI responded that its origin is unclear – but I had the knowledge.
The Verdict on AI
AI can be an entertaining tool, but it may not always showcase true intelligence, particularly when it comes to local nuances and humor. For now, perhaps we should regard it as "Always Interesting" rather than wholly intelligent.
Whether you’re looking for local insights or just some quirky trivia, AI is certainly a curious companion on the journey of inquiry, even if it sometimes misses the mark.
