A problem when using AI for research – 404 links
Posted By RichC on August 21, 2025
Flaw in AI assisted research (404 links). Artificial Intelligence generated segment below for a recent blog post — and all are broken/non-existent links:
Record-low unemployment rates for most demographics, including native-born workers
Historic median household income growth, reaching an all-time high of $68,703 in 2019
4.9 million Americans lifted out of poverty in a single year (2019)—the largest one-year drop on record
From Grok:
The issue of AI-generated content, including links that lead to 404 errors (non-existent pages), is a known challenge in AI-assisted research, as highlighted by your example where some provided links may be broken or fabricated. This stems from AI models like large language models (LLMs) occasionally “hallucinating” URLs—generating plausible but incorrect or outdated links due to limitations in their training data or real-time web access. Below, I address your concern about preventing 404 links and ensuring AI checks the validity of links provided, with specific reference to your example.
Why AI Generates 404 Links
AI models, including Grok 3, may produce 404 errors for several reasons:
- Hallucination: AI can fabricate URLs that seem legitimate but don’t exist, especially if it lacks real-time web access to verify them. For instance, a Tow Center study found Grok 3 provided 404 error pages in 154 out of 200 tests, indicating a high rate of fabricated links.
- Outdated Data: Links may point to pages that existed in the AI’s training data but have since been removed or relocated, as websites update or archive content.
- Incorrect Attribution: AI might misattribute sources, linking to incorrect or unrelated pages, as seen in your example where the Heritage Foundation link may not directly support the claim or could be broken.
- Limited Web Access: Unlike search engines, many AI models don’t perform live web searches unless explicitly designed to (e.g., Grok 3’s DeepSearch mode), leading to reliance on potentially stale data.
In your example:
- The first link appears valid, as it points to a Bureau of Labor Statistics page, though I’d need to verify its current status.
- The second link is suspicious, as the title suggests a decline in poverty, but the URL implies a decline in income, which may indicate a hallucinated or incorrect link.
- The third link may exist but could be biased or not directly tied to the specific claim of poverty reduction, and its validity needs checking.
How to Prevent or Mitigate 404 Links
A first for me — a foot fracture, tendon pull and walking boot
Posted By RichC on August 20, 2025
Well … I likely waited too long to address a nagging problem with my right foot after too much barefoot beach walking. I thought it would improve over time if I continued to work through the healing process, but month after month since April or so it did not improve.
My PCP diagnosed it in May as Plantar Fasciitis, a common foot problem, but suggested that if it did not improve that I should get an X-Ray and see a podiatrist. My appointment was earlier this week and I was “somewhat glad” to have him show me a small fracture or tendon pull on my right foot — in other words, I was not imagining the pain. He put pressure on the bone and indeed it was painful.
So the best option for me is to wear a boot for a month and take an anti-inflammatory pill each day to reduce inflammation. Let the healing begin! 😊
Commentary: When Government Becomes a Shareholder $INTC
Posted By RichC on August 19, 2025
Noticing that my name was mentioned in TheHustings right-column today, I felt it was imperative that I at least voice my conservative concern over the Trump 
administration wanting taxpayers to become non-voting shareholders in Intel ($INTC).
Here are my thoughts; we’ll see if the editors include them?
Intel: When Government Becomes a Shareholder
The Trump administration is reportedly in talks to convert CHIPS Act funding into a roughly 10% non-voting equity stake in Intel ($INTC). On the surface, it makes sense: instead of handing out grants with no expectation of return, taxpayers would at least share in potential upside if the struggling chipmaker turns itself around. That principle of accountability and stewardship resonates with many of us who want government spending tied to measurable outcomes. After all, past administrations have poured billions into “strategic industries” through subsidies and grants – think of green energy ventures during the Obama/Biden years – that left taxpayers holding the bag when companies failed.
The case for involvement is not without merit. Intel’s financial challenges and construction delays in Ohio threaten U.S. ambitions to regain leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. And in a world where supply chains are fragile and adversaries are investing heavily in technology dominance, few would deny that securing chipmaking capacity is a strategic imperative. Even SoftBank’s recent multibillion-dollar investment suggests the private sector still sees value if Intel stabilizes.
But even as conservative Republicans acknowledge the logic, I’m personally concerned about where this path leads. A government equity stake – no matter how “non-voting” it may be – edges uncomfortably close to state capitalism. We fiscal conservatives have long criticized foreign governments for blurring the lines between public authority and private enterprise; it would be unwise to make that our own default playbook. Once Washington starts buying shares in one company, what stops it from expanding that practice into other industries viewed as strategically important?
The balance here is subtle. On the one hand, it is reasonable for taxpayers to receive more than vague promises when billions are at stake. On the other hand, the precedent carries risks of politicization, cronyism and unintended long-term obligations. If this move goes forward, it should come with safeguards: a clear timeline for divestment, strict transparency and an understanding that this is an exceptional case tied to national security – not a template for normal economic policy.
In the end, conservatives can support the principle of protecting national interests and ensuring a return on investment, while still voicing concern that government’s reach into the marketplace not become habitual. Guardrails are essential, because the difference between prudent stewardship and creeping corporatism often comes down to whether we recognize the line before we cross it.
Could a lightning strike damage my surge protection power strip?
Posted By RichC on August 19, 2025
It is the time of years that summer storm whip through the area and occasionally the lightning gets pretty close. It happened last week and then I notice that my fairly new surge protector power strip wasn’t working (below). I reset the little breaker switch and the 110v ac plugs came back on, but the USB circuit would not. My Peak Design wireless charger stopped working as well and didn’t really thing about the lightning storm at the time?
Unfortunately the warranty on the power strip was not as good as no-questions Peak Design products … but on the other hand it is a very low priced product. So I picked up a new “cheap” on again and all is working as it should be again.
On a different … but shopping oriented … topic, a guy at BeachBub who helped me out last year added me to the list of people who might be interested in their DEMO DAYS sale. I knew from the last go around that their demo umbrellas would disappear quickly, so I immediately click the order button. The second BeachBub umbrella has arrived and all I need to do now is get it to Florida. It will be great as a spare and nice to have when the kids come down to visit.
Music Monday: “Come Monday” performed by Kenny Chesney
Posted By RichC on August 18, 2025
While enjoying the August summer sun and cooling down over the weekend the swimming pool, Jimmy Buffett’s old song “Come Monday“ came up on Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Radio. He does a masterful job singing it (even better than Mac MacAnally) and I thought that even the live version from a Kenny Chesney Tampa Florida performance was outstanding, but then he has a great voice.
I couldn’t find the live version from Tampa (see image), that SiriusXM was playing … but am enjoying the next best thing for Music Monday. Great memories for me and a great way to wind down the summer of 2025 (say it isn’t so)!
| Kenny Chesney – “Come Monday” |
It has been 10 years, but a father’s impact lasts a lifetime
Posted By RichC on August 17, 2025
The Little Critter book title reads … “Just Me and My Dad” (the photo above just a few years ago) … but as I mentioned a decade ago after DadC’s memorial service … he 
planted the wisdom of Proverb 22:6 in the way he lived his life.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
It is interesting how topics collide:
Last week, while Brenda and I were babysitting our two granddaughters, the topic of ancestry came up. The two of them are quite inquisitive for 5 and 8 (ok, normally inquisitive), and seem to handle the idea of having grandparents, great grandparent and great, great grandparents quite well (so as long as they aren’t thinking about death and dying and their own parents — a topic we avoided).
Archive: School is starting, but a little more fun in Toledo
Posted By RichC on August 17, 2025
This content is restricted.
Intensive or Intents: What is the world is an Eggcorn?
Posted By RichC on August 16, 2025
Earlier this month while sending a few quick text messages back and forth, I started to type the message “for all intensive purposes” to my brother when my iPhone started a predictive typing suggestion: “for all intents and purposes.” Hm .. so down the rabbit hole I jumped.
According to Merriam-Webster …
In a 1546 Act of Parliament, the phrase “to all intents, constructions, and purposes” was used to convey that King Henry VIII had unlimited power to interpret laws. Apparently, the people of England took a liking to the phrase—just not the “constructions” part. Thereafter, the phrase began appearing in legal documents and other writings in forms such as “to all intents” and “to all intents and purposes.” Nowadays, the latter phrase has survived—chiefly in British English—and “for all intents and purposes” was popularized in American English.
When looking up the semi-idiom desultory thought, it brought me to Eggcorn … or “slip of the ear” repeated word or phrase. Very interesting … and I don’t think 
I’ll ever say “intensive” again without remembering this post?
Tech Friday: Should students do their work with or without AI?
Posted By RichC on August 15, 2025
Last month I had a discussion with a friend and we debated how much of what we read on the internet these days is being created by … or at least assisted by … artificial intelligence. It was more concerning to 
him since his children are old enough to be regular users of AI (unlike most older adults). Without question, students are quicker to accept, adapt and to use chatbots now that they are part of everyday life.
Although neither of us are currently teaching, both of us have it in our background. I am of the opinion that educators need to teach students how to “use” AI … much as previous generations needed to know how to use computers. Tools assist us and the proficiency will be imperative for future success. He took the position that critical thinking and ability to communicate without the aid of artificial intelligence requires working without help. I’m not sure either of us are convinced that our point of view was correct.
So … I decided to use Duck.AI to see if there was a way to know when humans were being assisted? This is also test post to see if my personal automator app that would convert an “Apple Note to HTML” for blog inclusion. It works!
Identifying AI Assistance in Writing
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.