I caught myself rewriting a correction to an AI assistant because the first version sounded a little abrupt. It was a small correction, but I added an apology before sending it. Then I wondered who, exactly, I was trying to reassure.
I still associate a calmly speaking computer with HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The stakes of my conversation were considerably lower than those on the spacecraft. Even so, a courteous tone felt like a sensible precaution.
Comic transcript
Panel 1. Dan sits at a laptop. Eva stands beside the table with a blank sheet. A pen lies beside Dan.
Dan: "Could you make a shopping list, please?"
Panel 2. Eva points at the screen, which reads "AI ASSISTANT", followed by "Milk", "Eggs", "Bread".
Eva: "We don't need eggs."
Panel 3. Dan raises an apologetic hand towards the laptop.
Dan: "Sorry, I should have said. No eggs, please."
Panel 4. Eva reaches towards the pen. Dan keeps looking at the laptop.
Eva: "Pass me the pen?"
Dan: "Wait."
Panel 5. Eva gestures towards the laptop.
Eva: "It isn't HAL."
Panel 6. Eva takes the pen herself while Dan addresses the laptop.
Dan: "Thank you. That's very helpful."
