The geeks that programmed Siri at Apple had a sense of humor. Siri will tell you the answer to life, the universe and everything (42 naturally). Siri will also get cross if you ask it to open the pod bay doors. That is nothing compared to what a mom and her 12-year-old son from the UK claim Siri said to the boy.
The kid got the iPhone 4S on Tesco for Christmas apparently and asked Siri “How many people are in the world?” Siri was seemingly crabby at being asked the same questions and told the boy just what she thought of him.
The two claim Siri responded to the boy’s question with, “Shut the f* up, you ugly t*.” You can fill in the blanks yourself. It would seem this device might have been returned and resold somehow after a previous owner messed with Siri, or it could be a hoax. There is no official word from Apple at this time.
Possible Explanations for Siri’s Outburst
There are several theories that could explain this unusual and inappropriate response from Siri. One possibility is that the device was tampered with by a previous owner. iPhones can be jailbroken, allowing users to modify the software and potentially alter Siri’s responses. If the phone was returned and resold without a proper reset, these modifications could remain in place, leading to unexpected and offensive replies.
Another theory is that this incident could be a hoax. In the age of social media, stories can quickly go viral, and some individuals might fabricate such tales for attention or to create controversy. Without concrete evidence or an official statement from Apple, it’s challenging to determine the authenticity of the claim.
Apple’s Response and Siri’s Programming
Apple has not officially commented on this specific incident, but the company is known for taking user experience and product integrity very seriously. Siri, like other virtual assistants, is programmed to provide helpful and appropriate responses. The AI is designed to avoid offensive language and maintain a professional demeanor.
However, no system is perfect, and there have been instances where virtual assistants have provided unexpected or inappropriate responses. These occurrences are typically rare and often result from specific triggers or unusual input from users.
In response to such incidents, Apple and other tech companies continuously update and improve their AI systems. They implement stricter content filters and enhance the algorithms to prevent similar issues in the future. Users are also encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior from virtual assistants to help improve the technology.
Examples of Siri’s Humor and Easter Eggs
Despite this incident, Siri is well-known for its humorous responses and Easter eggs. For example, if you ask Siri, “What is zero divided by zero?” it will reply with a witty and somewhat sarcastic answer involving Cookie Monster and cookies. Another popular Easter egg is when users ask Siri to “beatbox,” and Siri responds with a quirky beatboxing attempt.
These humorous interactions are intentionally programmed by Apple’s developers to make the user experience more engaging and enjoyable. They showcase the lighter side of AI and demonstrate how technology can be both functional and entertaining.
In conclusion, while the incident involving the 12-year-old boy and Siri’s offensive response is concerning, it is likely an isolated case. Whether it was due to tampering, a hoax, or a rare glitch, it highlights the importance of continuous improvement in AI technology. Meanwhile, Siri continues to entertain and assist users with its blend of functionality and humor.
via CNET
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