Do we need AI tools to simplify on-page search?

1 pointsProtosGalaxias2mo ago7 comments

I was recently browsing a page with API documentation and couldn’t find a specific detail - and this, after 10 minutes of meticulous search. I was refusing to ask AI to help me at first, I was determined to do it on my own.

After I finally found it (by myself), I thought: ok, I am this stubborn fool who searched for a quick self-recognition after completing a “difficult” task but how many are there like me?

I think most of the folks would ask ChatGPT or their browser assistant to help them.

Is it the websites and docs that are made poorly or are we are getting dumber with all the noise surrounding us and AI at hand?

Curious to have your opinion.

7 comments

ofalkaed2mo ago

Probably a mix of both and some other stuff.

I think the real problem is that most people don't identify their actual problem so they can form a good question which will help them beyond the immediate need. Your problem was not finding that specific detail but navigating that API and this is the sort of question AI can be very good with.

>I can't find anything in this API, can you break down its structure and offer some advice on how to effectively navigate it?

Possibly a bit too generic but generic is a good place to start, it lets you judge the AI's grasp on the topic. Let its answer guide you in a few followup questions.

ProtosGalaxiasOP2mo ago

If I understood well, your take is that we have to learn how to use AI tools smarter so that they could help us better?

ofalkaed2mo ago

It is more about identifying the problem and forming the question, trying to understand the problem instead of looking for the answer. It does not matter if you are asking a person or AI or digging through books at a library, and it will help in identifying the best place to look for answers or may allow answering the question ourselves. This is one of the traits that good teachers all have in common, they don't just answer their students questions as asked, they consider if the question is coming from a larger problem which the student does not see.

Most people are going to go for the quick and easy answer and this is not new, all that changed is where they get the answer from and sometimes the quick and easy answer is the appropriate solution, we can't learn everything.

1 more reply

chrisjj2mo ago

Did you try browser Find in page?

ProtosGalaxiasOP2mo ago

Haven't thought about this at the moment, to be honest, would probably save me some time.

chrisjj2mo ago

It saves me a lot. Good luck!

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Do we need AI tools to simplify on-page search?

1 pointsProtosGalaxias2mo ago7 comments

After I finally found it (by myself), I thought: ok, I am this stubborn fool who searched for a quick self-recognition after completing a “difficult” task but how many are there like me?

I think most of the folks would ask ChatGPT or their browser assistant to help them.

Is it the websites and docs that are made poorly or are we are getting dumber with all the noise surrounding us and AI at hand?

Curious to have your opinion.

7 comments

ofalkaed2mo ago

Probably a mix of both and some other stuff.

>I can't find anything in this API, can you break down its structure and offer some advice on how to effectively navigate it?

Possibly a bit too generic but generic is a good place to start, it lets you judge the AI's grasp on the topic. Let its answer guide you in a few followup questions.

ProtosGalaxiasOP2mo ago

If I understood well, your take is that we have to learn how to use AI tools smarter so that they could help us better?

ofalkaed2mo ago

1 more reply

chrisjj2mo ago

Did you try browser Find in page?

ProtosGalaxiasOP2mo ago

Haven't thought about this at the moment, to be honest, would probably save me some time.

chrisjj2mo ago

It saves me a lot. Good luck!

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse