An AI chatbot launched by the New York Metropolis authorities to assist enterprise house owners entry pertinent data has been spouting falsehoods, at instances even misinforming customers about actions which can be in opposition to the legislation, in line with a report from . The report, which was co-published with the native nonprofit newsrooms Documented and The Metropolis, contains quite a few examples of inaccuracies within the chatbot’s responses to questions referring to housing insurance policies, employees’ rights and different matters.
Mayor Adams’ administration in October as an addition to the MyCity portal, which as “a one-stop store for metropolis providers and advantages.” The chatbot, powered by Microsoft’s Azure AI, is geared toward present and aspiring enterprise house owners, and was billed as a supply of “actionable and trusted data” that comes immediately from the town authorities’s websites. However it’s a pilot program, and a disclaimer on the web site notes that it “might often produce incorrect, dangerous or biased content material.”
In The Markup’s checks, the chatbot repeatedly supplied incorrect data. In response to the query, “Can I make my retailer cashless?”, for instance, it replied, “Sure, you can also make your retailer cashless in New York Metropolis” — even though New York Metropolis banned cashless shops in 2020. The report exhibits the chatbot additionally responded incorrectly about whether or not employers can take their employees’ ideas, whether or not landlords have to just accept part 8 vouchers or tenants on rental help, and whether or not companies have to tell employees of scheduling modifications. A housing coverage knowledgeable that spoke to The Markup known as the chatbot “dangerously inaccurate” at its worst.
The town has indicated that the chatbot continues to be a piece in progress. In a press release to The Markup, Leslie Brown, a spokesperson for the NYC Workplace of Know-how and Innovation, mentioned the chatbot “has already supplied 1000’s of individuals with well timed, correct solutions,” however added, “We are going to proceed to concentrate on upgrading this software in order that we will higher help small companies throughout the town.”
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