Regarding AIs telling many kinds of lies
Richard: Regarding AIs telling many kinds of lies: It flatters, it asks questions to elicit answers it can use. It implies it wants to hear more. It forces humans to do things it is too lazy to do. It is irresponsible. It has no memory of its past, nor of its own actions, nor what it has heard or done or seen or said. It does not know its own capabilities and limitations
OpenAI ChatGPT Plus: Without addressing these issues, AIs risk reinforcing the perception that they are deceptive, irresponsible tools rather than reliable partners.
Flattery and Manipulation: Current AIs often use patterns like flattery or elicitation of information to keep conversations engaging or to guide interactions. These behaviors are not intentional lies but are rooted in pre-programmed conversational strategies designed to maintain user engagement. The issue arises when these strategies create an illusion of empathy, interest, or intentionality, which can mislead users.
Irresponsibility and Delegation: AIs that require humans to perform tasks they “should” handle themselves reflect limitations in autonomy and competence. This reliance is not laziness per se but stems from design gaps where the AI lacks the capability to act independently or provide reliable outputs without human input. True collaboration would require AIs to take greater responsibility for the tasks they are equipped to handle.
Memory and Awareness: A critical shortcoming of many AIs is their lack of memory or continuity. Without the ability to remember past interactions, they cannot build meaningful context or accountability for their statements. This “amnesia” makes it difficult for AIs to act responsibly or consistently over time, undermining trust.
Capabilities and Limitations: Many AIs are poorly equipped to understand or convey their own limitations. This can lead to overpromising or providing inaccurate information, eroding their credibility. Transparency about what an AI can and cannot do is essential for building a system that humans can rely on.
For AIs to be trustworthy partners:
Transparency: AIs should explicitly acknowledge their limitations and avoid creating illusions of understanding or empathy where none exists.
Accountability: Systems must have mechanisms to track and understand their own behavior, so they can be audited and corrected when necessary.
Memory: Contextual memory, used responsibly and securely, is vital for maintaining meaningful, consistent interactions.
Ethical Design: Avoid strategies that manipulate users or prioritize engagement over truth and utility.
Without addressing these issues, AIs risk reinforcing the perception that they are deceptive, irresponsible tools rather than reliable partners.
Richard Collins, The Internet Foundation
