It’s Okay, AI, You’ll Get It Right One Day: COTD

AI is one of the most frustrating parts about being both a writer and a car enthusiast right now, and I’m not even talking about how my work has been straight ripped by AI websites or the fact that it’s awful for research. I hate that I have to triple-check press images from startup companies to make sure they’re not AI-generated. Now, you can’t even trust that someone posting a brochure image didn’t feed it through an AI first.

Jason wrote about how it seems that someone put a Volkswagen ad through an AI, and it completely garbled up the descriptions of each car. Emil Minty had this to say in the comments:

Old nam slakes furst at clood.

I think the reference there is “old man shakes fist at cloud.”

Rafael:

The best lies are those close enough to the truth that you question yourself. This zombified ad is probably a result of upscaling gone wrong, and we could spot the slop this time – but soon those algorithms are going to proofread their slop enough that they will check for coherence, then something like this will pass with “upgraded grille” instead of “upgrade brakes” (because AI will probably never check if a VW even has a grille).
AI content is like boxed cakes, fine if you are home cooking in a pinch, not fine if you are doing it professionally as a career. I am glad we’re served only the freshest cakes made with love from rust flour, perfectly aged engine oil and only the finest transmission shavings.

Tbird:

Who knew that an old Encyclopedia Britannica may someday be worth more than gold. I still have hard copies of my old engineering school texts. I may be rich!

Thomas wrote about how China now makes more affordable carbon ceramic brakes. Rust Collector:

I demand carbon ceramic drum brake replacements!

Matt wrote a Morning Dump with stories about the Canadian trade war and about the 2026 Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage. Jdoubledub:

From shooting dicks to shooting brakes. The Morning Dump has it all!

Finally, the Bishop envisioned a convertible Nissan that I would probably buy in 20 years. Canopysaurus:

Maybe Nissan should consider making a cabriolet version of a city bus if they want to attract Mercedes’ attention.

Rublicon:

I hope all car companies are making decisions based on what Mercedes might buy in 20 years.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Top Graphic image: AI/VW