You might be yelling at a toaster
As usual, I answer the Question of the Week here and then I go to Kim Komando's website and find something fairly relevant. It's about companies using AI to answer calls to their customer support phone line. Some of the text of the article: Quick question: When’s the last time you really knew if you were chatting with a real human on a customer-service call? Turns out, in more places than you think, it’s not a person at all. It’s AI.
That might be fine when you’re asking a dumb question like, “What time do you close?” But what about when you’re dealing with a bank, insurance company or police report? Yeah, it matters. .
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Here’s what to watch for
Next time you hop into a customer service chat, pay attention. If there’s no mention that you’re talking to AI, ask: “Are you a real person?” You’re not being rude, you’re being smart.
AI doesn’t always get it right. It might deny a claim, mess up a bill, make crap up or give you incorrect info. And if it feels like you’re stuck in a loop? You probably are. Push to talk to a human.
Oh, and don’t assume this is only happening at big companies. AI tools are cheap, and everyone from your gym to your doctor’s office could be using them.
Look, I love tech. You know that. But I also think you have a right to know when you’re talking to a machine that’s pretending to be a human.
Link to article: You might be yelling at a toaster - Komando.com
Jim,
I recently had to call HP regarding my printer. The 'person' who answered the call spoke a few sentences, offering to assist me. 'She' spoke just like you and I, no robotic voice or speech patterns. Then when i asked to speak to a supervisor, 'she' said she could help me with my issue and that she was AI. I was totslly shocked as I never thought this was AI I was interacting with.
AI continued to try to help me solve my issue for quite a while and finally after no success, transfered me to a human, who also finally solved my issue.
So, had she not identified herlef, i never would have guessed I was speaking with AI. So, YES, absolutely ask the individual if he/she is human!