‘Compounded errors’

Dear Editor:

For the last several years I have been researching downtown Fergus.  Today I thought perhaps the internet might be of assistance. This is what I learned via artificial intelligence (AI) about 212 St. Andrew W., The Red Door.

The site is currently the Dominion Hotel. The Dominion Hotel is also at 968 St. David St. North. At one time it was built and owned by George Thompson, a building contractor.

The building was used to store marble and constructed by the marble dealer. 

None of the above is true according to actual records. When challenged, the AI search result admitted that it “imagined” the foregoing, including the details. It did provide a picture of the Dominion Hotel in Minden. The site repeatedly called itself “I” which it is not. If it must (which was never necessary), it should call itself “AI” or “ai,” which it is. The inaccuracy compounded its errors as it went along.

Chris Woode,
Fergus