Bard

  After watching 60 Minutes last evening (04/17) I was intrigued by a segment on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the apparent inroads it's making in our lives. Things seem to be changing ... and changing fast. Who knows what AI will be like in another year? And a decade away might produce a dreamworld.

 The program gave examples of how Google's chatbot Bard responded to questions posted  by newsman Scott Pelley. I decided I'd see how it would answer a few of my own questions.

Bard logo - ©Google

 I accessed Bard and found I had to place my name on a "waitlist". Disappointed I did that and walked downstairs to continue reading a book. My phone soon beeped with a message from Google  that I could now use Bard.

I started by asking what it knew of Pinehaven in Farmersville Ohio" It responded:

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Pinehaven is a two-acre property in Farmersville, Ohio. It is located at 4317 S Clayton Road. The property is home to a century-old farmhouse, a barn, and a garden. The farmhouse is in need of repair, but it has a lot of charm. The barn is in good condition and could be used for storage or as a workshop. The garden is small but productive. The property is surrounded by trees and has a peaceful, rural setting.

Pinehaven is owned by William G. Schmidt, who bought it with his parents in 1990. Schmidt is a retired engineer and writer. He has written a book about his life at Pinehaven, called "Pinehaven: A Century-Old Farmhouse in Southwestern Ohio."

Schmidt enjoys spending time at Pinehaven. He likes to garden, walk in the woods, and read. He also enjoys hosting friends and family at the property.

 Pinehaven is a special place for Schmidt. It is a place where he can relax and enjoy the simple things in life. It is a place where he can connect with nature and with his family and friends.
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Obviously it's read the book. Of course the house is no longer "in need of repair" and I have never been an engineer. And we bought the house in 1986 and moved in in 1987. Otherwise I'd say it was an accurate response.

 Then I asked for the current weather report for my location but written as though Thoreau has penned it:

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Sure, here is today's weather forecast for Farmersville, Ohio, as Henry David Thoreau might write it:

"The weather this morning is cloudy and threatening, with a slight breeze from the west. The air is cool and damp, and the birds are silent. The sky is a dull gray, and the clouds are heavy with rain. It is a day to stay indoors and read a book, or to write in your journal. It is a day to think about the nature of the universe, and to ponder the meaning of life. It is a day to be grateful for the simple things in life, and to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

But even on a day like this, there is still beauty to be found. The raindrops fall like tears from the sky, and the flowers drink them up greedily. The trees sway in the wind, and the leaves rustle like a thousand whispers. The air is filled with the smell of wet earth, and the sound of the rain is like music.

So even though it is a cloudy day, there is still hope. The sun will come out again, and the birds will sing. The flowers will bloom, and the trees will grow. And the rain will nourish the earth, and make it grow green and lush.

So let us not despair on a cloudy day. Let us instead rejoice in the beauty of nature, and in the hope of a brighter tomorrow."
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 Finally I asked a question Tom and I had come up with just yesterday. There were seeds blowing by the window, though clearly not dandelions. Tom suggested they could be sycamore seed balls coming apart and dispersing the seeds. Was that possible?

 Bard responded:

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Yes, it is possible that you could have seen sycamore seeds blowing in the wind yesterday. Sycamore seeds are small, flat, and have a wing-like structure that allows them to be blown by the wind. They typically start to fall from the trees in the spring, and can continue to fall throughout the summer. If there was a strong wind yesterday, it is possible that you could have seen sycamore seeds blowing in the air.

Here are some additional information about sycamore seeds:

Sycamore seeds are also known as "helicopters" because of their wing-like structure.

Sycamore seeds can travel long distances by wind.

Sycamore seeds are a food source for some animals, such as squirrels and birds.

Sycamore seeds can germinate quickly, and can grow into new trees.
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 So, three examples of thoughtful and reasonably accurate answers to questions posed in plain English.

 The tip of the iceberg has shown itself. It's shining. But what lies beneath?