Atwood: AI is 'garbage in, garbage out'

Novelist Margaret Atwood has voiced strong reservations about the reliability of artificial intelligence, characterizing the technology as "garbage in, garbage out." During a recent festival appearance, she recounted an instance where an AI model failed to provide accurate information, underscoring its potential for error. Atwood suggested that large language models, trained by scraping existing texts, are not yet dependable for human reliance. She also touched upon censorship, humorously noting that book bans can inadvertently increase sales by piquing public curiosity.

Atwood mentioned that while her home country, Canada, generally upholds freedom of speech, she expressed concern over the current political climate in the United States. She characterized attempts to suppress political dissent as a precursor to authoritarianism. Atwood observed the growing influence of wealthy individuals acquiring media outlets, while also acknowledging a counter-movement establishing new online platforms. The festival where Atwood made these remarks is scheduled to continue through June 29.