avatarEva MacInnes

Summary

Dr. Frederick is working on refining an AI's understanding of colloquial language, specifically the slang term "jelly" for jealousy, to improve its interaction with humans.

Abstract

The website content describes a scenario involving Dr. Frederick and an AI interface. Dr. Frederick is close to perfecting the AI but needs to resolve some issues concerning the AI's comprehension of colloquialisms, such as the slang use of "jelly" to mean jealousy. Despite the AI correctly identifying the literal meaning of "jelly" as a fruit topping, it fails to grasp its colloquial usage. Dr. Frederick emphasizes the importance of understanding such terms for the AI to interface effectively with humans. This vignette is part of a flash fiction challenge, highlighting the complexities of human-AI interaction and cultural misunderstandings. The piece is written by Eva MacInnes, who invites readers to engage with her work and offers the possibility to follow her writing or support her with a coffee donation.

Opinions

  • The AI's initial response, "That's ridiculous," implies a lack of understanding or appreciation for the nuances of human language and cultural idioms.
  • Dr. Frederick's insistence on the AI's need to decipher colloquialisms suggests a belief in the necessity of cultural and linguistic adaptability for AI functioning in human society.
  • The inclusion of the prompt by Grim Flandango and the challenge by Zane Dickens the Instigator indicates a community interest in exploring AI-human interactions and the challenges therein through creative writing.
  • Eva MacInnes's invitation for reader engagement and her self-description as a writer, artist, and freelance editor convey her passion for creative expression and community building within the writers' and readers' network on Medium.

FICTION | FLASH FICTION | 100 STORY CHALLENGE | DRABBLE | THE FICTION WRITER’S DEN

Common Colloquialisms

Sometimes deciphering language can be difficult…

Photo by PIOTR BENE on Unsplash

Dr. Frederick’s creation was almost complete. There were just a few… hiccups. Some colloquialisms needed to be ironed out.

“So, it’s when you’re jealous of someone, or someone is jealous of someone else.” Dr. Frederick explained.

“Jelly- a delicious fruit topping, often used on toast. Commonly combined with peanut butter.” The AI interface responded.

“Ok… that is correct. But, the word can also be used in a different way, like I said. It’s a common term now, and you need to be able to decipher these things. It’s important.”

The AI interface thought for a moment before responding. “That’s ridiculous.”

This prompt A Drabble a Day 2: The Drabbling is by Grim Flandango in The Fiction Writer’s Den. The word today is DECIPHER.

And I wrapped in the prompt from JF Danskin A Different Side of Fiction (Idea 11) as well. (Craft a scene or flash fiction story that involves humans and AI interfacing in some way, with vibes suggesting a cultural misunderstanding.)

This 64th drabble is written as part of the “100 Story Challenge” by Zane Dickens the Instigator.

Thank you for reading my drabble. I’d love to hear your responses.

You can check out some more of my writing and follow me here. (She, Her) I am a writer, an artist and a freelance editor. I write a little bit of everything, whatever is on my mind at the moment. Get an email when I publish a new story. And you could buy me an iced latte if the mood strikes.

Fiction
Flash Fiction
100 Story Challenge
Drabble
The Fiction Writers Den
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