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[Discussion] What's your thoughts on AI generated search engines compared to other ways to find information? (self.asklemmy)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by Jaluvshuskies to c/[email protected]

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Like most of you, I used reddit as solely my only source for finding information. Looking to hear your guys' thoughts on this topic, and hopefully explain and share some knowledge in a more sophisticated manner than I can describe. (also, I hope this is an appropriate place to post?)

I have ran into this discussion a few times across the fediverse, but I can't for the life of my find those threads and comments lol

I believe that a non-corporate owned platform with user-generated information is most optimal, like wikipedia. I don't know the technicalities, but I feel like AI can't replace answers from human experiences - humans who are enthusiasts and care about helping each other and not making money. This is one of those things where I feel like I know the "best" way to find information, but I don't know the deep answers of why, and what makes the other platforms worse (aside from the obvious ads, bloatware, and corporate greed)

I don't know much about this topic, but I'm curious if you guys have actual real answers! Thread-based services like this and stack overflow (?) vs chatgpt vs bing vs google, etc.

EDIT: Wow, all your responses are fantastic. I'm not very knowledgeable about the subject so I can't really continue everyone's responses with a discussion, but I love and appreciate the insight in this thread! But I'll try to think of some follow up questions :)

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[–] ribboo 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I think people are way to quick to dismiss AI on the basis that it’s not always factual. Searching for stuff and adding Reddit is a great way to get non factual information as well. Everyone that has great insight into a subject knows how horrible many highly upvotes comments are.

Wether you use AI, Reddit or Google, you have to do a quick analysis of how credible it seems. I use all three of them, but more and more AI for niche searches that are hard to get good results for.

[–] Jaluvshuskies 2 points 2 years ago

Yea, I sort of agree - that's kind of why I think that doing research yourself by looking across dozens of sources, posts, and comments, then making your own judgment call is the way. Idk I guess maybe it's just my experience, but I usually find that a comment with misinformation is downvoted to oblivion with responses as to why it's wrong, and the most helpful solution is usually upvoted, with replies like "you're a life saver" or "this is the real answer. thank you!!". Obviously I don't mean like 100% of content is like this, there will be bad content everywhere, but I take every solution with a grain of salt while looking at other solutions, and decide for myself (or maybe I misunderstood you lol)

There are sooooooo many times, way more than I can count, that I had an INCREDIBLY niche problem (usually tech related) and bam, someone on reddit had the same issue, and either figured it out & posted the solution, or the wack solution is in the comments. I never ever find this information on other random articles or "official help threads". This happened so much that I didn't google a single piece of information without adding "reddit" to it

I feel like AI would be better for simple things like an excel formula, or ordinary information? For now, at least. But, I am trying to learn more about this subject and truly see the legitimate capabilities of AI

Then again, what do I know lol