AI Can't Solve Cryptic Crosswords: The Guardian Puzzle
The Guardian has published a cryptic crossword that even AI struggles with. OpenAI’s CEO and Elon Musk have warned about the dangers of uncontrolled AI development, while Donald Trump downplays these concerns. Despite these warnings, AI remains ineffective at solving cryptic crosswords. This article highlights how AI excels in certain tasks but falls short in others, such as language puzzles…
Key points
- AI can't solve the Guardian's cryptic crossword
- OpenAI CEO and Elon Musk warn about AI dangers
- Donald Trump downplays AI risks
The story so far
5 episodes →- AI Can't Solve Cryptic Crosswords: The Guardian Puzzle this story
AI can wipe us out – so why can’t it do Guardian cryptic crosswords?
The Guardian AI · 15 September 2026
AI may be capable of “taking over the entire internet” (OpenAI boss and Elon Musk back calls to put brakes on ‘reckless’ AI development, 13 September), but it is rubbish at tackling the Guardian cryptic crossword.John HoughamReading, Berkshire
Donald Trump is downplaying the dangers of AI (Trump facing AI backlash in Congress as push for guardrails intensifies, 15 September). But didn’t he say much the same thing about Covid?Garry WynneNorley, Cheshire
What a bizarre idea, that people should buy special clothes for gardening (Mossy catwalks, mycelial designs and Monty Don: the growth of gardener style, 11 September). Along with many of my friends, I have a whole drawer of old trousers, shirts and jumpers, full of holes and peculiar stains which are unfit for anything but gardening.Roger WilkinsonLeasgill, Cumbria
Less death, more fun in English literature (Letters, 11 September)? I can still hear this wistful sigh in a tutorial 60 years ago: “If only Othello had been more sensible!”Laurence InmanKings Heath, Birmingham
The tautology that annoys me most is the ubiquitous “work colleagues” (Letters, 13 September). Are one’s friends “social colleagues”, and family “genetic colleagues”? Rosemary WaughMarket Weighton, East Yorkshire
I think it’s time to throw in the towel (Letters, 14 September).Julia DraperBath
This text was published by The Guardian AI and written by Guardian Staff. It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗
The headline, key points and digest above were generated by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources. Automated summaries can contain errors: the sources are the record. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
More in Society & Work
All →- OpenAI study: AI use outside job roles becomes routine for workers · 1 src
- OpenAI and AARP launch road tour to teach older Americans how to use AI against scams · 2 src
- Anthropic disrupts ShinyHunters hackers using Claude for mass data theft · 8 src
- Gen Z leverages AI tools to secure higher-value freelance projects · 1 src
- Programmers grapple with skill gaps as LLMs reshape software development · 1 src
Comments
via GitHub Discussions