AI translation tool went haywire during a live client meeting yesterday

I was on a Zoom call with a Japanese manufacturer outside Osaka last week, pitching a new assembly process. Ran their technical specs through a popular AI translator to prep the slides. It translated "safety cutoff switch" as "emergency dessert button" and I didn't catch it until the client pointed it out with a straight face. Had to spend the next 10 minutes apologizing and explaining the glitch. Has anyone else had an AI tool completely mangle something critical at the worst possible moment?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly_coleman612mo ago

Emergency dessert button" is hilarious and terrifying at the same time lol. Did they at least crack a smile after you explained it, or were they just staring at you the whole time?

simon_wood721mo ago

Haha totally did, once they realized I was serious about the cake emergency part they started cracking up.

oliver5232mo ago

Kelly I've TOTALLY been there with that customer stare. It's that blank look like you just spoke a foreign language and they're waiting for the punchline. I bet they were just processing the absurdity of having a literal dessert emergency button because honestly who wouldn't want one of those in their house? At least you got the reaction you were hoping for even if it took a second to land. Some people just need a minute to appreciate the brilliance of a panic button for cake emergencies.