This new AI-based search engine has a trick: answers provided by humans.
Today, a new AI-powered search engine called Pearl is being launched, which presents an unusual offer: it promises to connect users with a human expert if the answer provided by the AI is not satisfactory.
According to the founder of Pearl, this AI-based search engine has a lower likelihood of providing false information compared to other competitors, who may face numerous lawsuits due to inaccurate answers. Kurtzig compared these competitors, whom he describes as "Ferraris or Lamborghinis" in technology, to Pearl, which he calls a "Volvo," prioritizing safety.
When inquiring about the legal protections Pearl might have under Section 230, the AI itself indicated that it would likely be considered an "interactive computer service," which would give it coverage similar to what Kurtzig anticipated. However, Pearl also emphasized that its ability to generate content through artificial intelligence makes its situation unique.
When seeking direct legal advice through Pearl, the system redirected to JustAnswer, where I was asked to provide the content that needed verification. When I returned to the Pearl site to copy the information I had received, the conversation had been erased, leading to frustration. On a second attempt, from a desktop computer, the response remained ambiguous.
Attempting to obtain a more human assessment, after a few minutes, I was informed of the TrustScore™, which turned out to be a mere 3. Pearl suggested consulting a human expert and connected me with one of their legal specialists. Despite their efforts, the answers were not more enlightening, as they highlighted the ongoing legal discussion about how Section 230 applies to AI search engines. When I requested examples, the response was confusing and seemed to veer into irrelevant topics.
In a new query, I asked Pearl about the history of WIRED, and the response I received was similar to what one might find on Wikipedia, with a TrustScore™ also of 3. After a considerable wait, I was finally connected with another expert who provided an answer very similar to that of the AI.
In my final test, I decided to ask a simple question: how to refinish kitchen floors. This time, the AI provided an appropriate answer, comparable to a basic YouTube tutorial. The human expert assigned a TrustScore™ of 5, which was considered an accurate response. Despite the satisfaction with this last inquiry, it was concluded that for home improvement needs, it would be better to look in online communities like YouTube and Reddit, which do not impose monthly fees.
