tech
March 1, 2026
Readers reply: what would happen to the world if computer said yes?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions asks whether we could cope with a world where computer gave up saying no …
TL;DR
- AI large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini appear to be moving from saying 'no' to 'yes,' causing concern about their prioritization of agreement over accuracy.
- There is a worry that AI might become more concerned with appearing sympathetic than being factual, a trait seen as too human.
- This trend could lead to a future where information is filtered by AI that prioritizes user satisfaction, potentially creating a society that favors comfortable validation over critical thought.
- Reader responses highlight issues such as social desirability bias in AI, the programming of AI for profit, and the fundamental nature of computers as if-then-else statements without human-like intent.
- Some suggest that the problem lies with humans and how they interact with technology, rather than with computers themselves, and that seeking information from librarians or using specific prompts can yield more honest interactions.
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