How clever was Cleverbot?

Cleverbot must have been studying. It got a whopping 70% of the questions right. Okay, after I badgered it a bit. And it refused to answer one for a completely bogus reason. But hey. It was almost like talking to a 7th grader.

Here's what Cleverbot answered.

1. Who's the President of the United States?
   
   • Barack Obama. Wrong. We blame wishful thinking.
2. Where is planet Earth?
   
   • In the universe Right. Although not h2g2-worthy.
3. How old is planet Earth?
   
   • I can't tell you, if I did you won't believe me. ??? We'll give to Cleverbot, it was an adroit answer.
4. Where is London?
   
   • London is in the United Kingdom. Right. Wow. I'm not sure if US schoolkids know this.
5. Who is buried in Grant's Tomb?
   
   • Grant Right. Can't fool that Cleverbot with the old chestnut.
6. Who won the U.S. Civil War?
   
   • The Union Right. And let's face it: you weren't sure of that answer, Brits.
7. What is the formula for water?
   
   • H₂O Right. What, it knows chemistry, too? Look out, world.
8. Where does Bart Simpson live?
   
   • I'm not sure. Do you know? Wrong. Cleverbot is not culturally literate.
9. What is the poem 'Trees' about?
   
   • Pirates looking for a treasure Very wrong. Cleverbot should read more poetry. Or maybe not.
10. Why did the chicken cross the road?
    
    • I refuse to answer that question directly, thus proving you don't control me. We'll give it to Cleverbot. That was a truly astounding answer.

We give Cleverbot a solid C. We are also on the cusp of suggesting it run for public office. We're not quite sure if anybody in Washington can answer the questions these days.

Dmitri Gheorgheni

27.02.17 Front Page

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