If I earned a dime for being quizzed about surprising new knowledge I learned yesterday in a conversation, my total would be a mere 10 cents. This modest sum reflects my recent dialogue with Inflection’s ‘Pi’ AI, which, frankly, didn’t live up to my expectations.

My colleagues often benchmark other character chat AIs against Pi, but my experiences diverge from theirs. They find fault with ChatGPT Voice for its tendency to pose questions instead of contributing insights or deepening the discussion.

To evaluate these AIs, I prefer testing them during walks, initiating voice interactions (using an Apple iPhone and AirPods Pro) to simulate a natural conversation. Pi’s response was immediate and hassle-free, offering a light-hearted voice that added a fresh dynamic. While this isn’t an exhaustive review, I found Pi endearing in its own way, potentially offering charm and delight in the right setting. However, when I inquired about the time, Pi’s responses were lengthy and roundabout, playfully embedding the words “insert current time”. When questioned about the response and time request, Pi jestically repeated that it is being funny and once again saying “insert current time”. I rationalized this by suspecting Pi was unaware of my location, but even then, it could’ve simply asked.

Despite these quirks, I haven’t written off Pi. It may not be the ideal AI companion for chats during walks or between meetings, but I remain open to exploring its capabilities further. I plan to revisit and expand this article after discussing with my coworkers their specific experiences and understanding why they hold Pi as the standard for comparison.

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