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artificial stupidity

artificial stupidity

1 7.7
Bad decisions that computer systems like chatbots or self-driving cars make
  • noun
  • /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəl stjuːˈpɪdəti/
  • Slang
translation icon : estupidez artificial
  • The program demonstrated clear artificial stupidity when it misinterpreted the data.

Examples

  • The researchers highlighted instances of artificial stupidity in the self-driving car's navigation decisions.

  • Many users have encountered artificial stupidity when chatbots provide nonsensical answers to simple questions.

  • Critics often use the term artificial stupidity to describe the unintended consequences of poorly designed algorithms.

  • Many users have encountered artificial stupidity in their virtual assistants.

  • The chatbot's nonsensical responses were a clear example of artificial stupidity in action.

  • When the AI failed to recognize basic instructions, it demonstrated artificial stupidity that frustrated the users.

  • The software's erroneous recommendations showed a level of artificial stupidity that could lead to serious mistakes.

Synonyms

stupidity
vsartificial stupidity
115 2.5

Not being smart or having good judgment

tells of computer errors causing poor or absurd outcomes
idiocy
vsartificial stupidity
  • Offensive
40 8.0

Very stupid or foolish behaviour often seen as offensive

is used for absurd machine failures but is more extreme and offensive
dumbness
vsartificial stupidity
  • Offensive
1 6.2

A state of not understanding things quickly

describes poor automated choices rather than human slowness
unwiseness
vsartificial stupidity
9.7

A lack of good judgment when making choices

is about machine decision errors rather than human poor judgment
unintelligence
vsartificial stupidity
8.2

Low mental ability to think clearly or learn

applies to faults in artificial decision making not human ability

Antonyms

418 3.0

Ability to learn, understand, and use knowledge to solve problems

How Intelligent

artificial intelligence
  • Specialized
43 3.9
artificial stupidity
  • Slang
1 7.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

artificial + stupidity

The meaning is compositionally built from 'artificial' (man-made) + 'stupidity' (lack of intelligence), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to incompetence produced by machines or AI. Although somewhat humorous or coined as an antonym of 'artificial intelligence', the sense is directly derivable and follows the common 'artificial + quality' pattern found across languages.

Etymology

Artificial stupidity plays on the phrase artificial intelligence and paints a picture of a machine that looks clever but makes silly mistakes. One popular idea says people used it as a joke about robots or programs that give confident but wrong answers, and that's why it means 'incompetence or error' by computer systems.