Talks to Watch

"Computer Says No..." | Little Britain | Lucas & Walliams

966K views · Oct 7, 2022 · 1:38 · 0 HN recommenders · 3 mentions · discussed 2024–2025

The Little Britain sketch in which call-center worker Carol types into her computer and replies 'computer says no' to every request.

Why Hacker News points people here: HN uses it as a joke reference to automated systems and bureaucratic refusals.

What Hacker News said 3

JokeRinzler89Mar 2024
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It's sad the comments here bashing this haven't understood the regulation, or haven't even read it and are just slamming it because in their mind EU REGULATION=BAD, AI=GOOD INNOVATION. EU AI regulation isn't there to stop AI innovation, it's only there to restrict where and when AI can be used on decisions that affect people. For example, you can't deny someone healthcare, a bank account, a rental, unemployment payments, or a job, just because "computer says NO" [1]. I don't understand how people can be against this kind of regulation, especially knowing how biased and discriminatory AI can be made to be while also being a convenient scapegoat for poor policies implemented by lazy people in charge: "you see your honor it wasn't our policies and implementation that were discriminatory and ruined lives, it was the AI's fault, not ours" . [1] this video

JokeaspenmayerAug 2024

“For niche, zany sketch comedy, Little Britain is a gem.”

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For those unfamiliar with the reference: link this video For niche, zany sketch comedy, Little Britain is a gem.

in “Cautionary tale on using Chase bank for indie business” · view on HN
Jokeamiga386Feb 2025
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"Computer says no" this video See also link and the legal response to the real-world problem, the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing : GDPR Article 22 ( link )

in “"A computer can never be held accountable"” · view on HN