Crikey, ChatGPT's gone bush! How AI is learning the art of Aussie Slang
Ever tried to explain why a sausage would be referred to as a "snag" while overseas, or why the toilet is the "dunny"? If you found this challenging, spare a thought for large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, which have to contend with slang terms from all over the world.
Is it possible for AI to decipher the strange "code" that is Australian slang, given all the nuance and cultural references loaded into it?
Understanding Australian Slang
LLMs don't "understand" language like we do. Rather, they are trained on massive quantities of online text data to learn patterns between words. They can then mimic these patterns to produce human-like responses. However, grasping Australian slang, which is rich in idioms, metaphors, and abbreviations, poses a unique challenge.
For instance, while an AI may struggle to interpret phrases like "cooked" and "random" in different contexts, many Australians effortlessly navigate through these nuances based on their lifetime of experience.
Challenges of Aussie Slang
Australian slang continues to evolve, deviating from traditional grammatical norms. It follows a looser sentence structure and incorporates a myriad of cultural elements.
Moreover, slang varies between generations. Older Australians tend to shorten words with an "ie" or "o" sound, while younger Australians opt for different forms of abbreviation.
AI and Aussie Slang
Despite the challenges, AI chatbots are making strides in understanding Australian slang. Platforms like Amazon's Alexa have integrated a wide range of Aussie terms into their vocabulary, showcasing a growing awareness of the language's intricacies.
Incorporating Aussie slang into AI models requires ongoing updates and a deep understanding of shifting linguistic trends. While AI systems are adept at recognizing common expressions, they still lack the holistic understanding and cultural significance that humans attribute to slang.
Future of AI Language Models
Recent advancements in AI, with models like GPT 4o and DeepSeek, demonstrate progress in handling complex tasks. These models aim to showcase an "internal thought process" to enhance transparency.
However, research indicates that many AI models operate as "black boxes," obscuring their decision-making processes. While they can adapt to niche slang terms, AI models still fall short of grasping the deeper cultural meanings behind language.
Aussie slang, deeply rooted in societal interactions, remains a uniquely human creation that AI can mimic but not fully comprehend.
