Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Latest Breaking News

highplainsdem

(59,194 posts)

9. Chatbots aren't really intelligent. But they are programmed to keep users engaged, often by agreeing

Reply to Irish_Dem (Reply #7)

Sat Nov 15, 2025, 08:41 PM

Nov 15

with them and flattering them, even if the chat goes off the rails.

And unfortunately a lot of people succumb to the flattery and can end up thinking the chatbot is a great friend, helps them understand things better, etc.

Bad enough for adults to use them. Disastrous to have children using them. But the AI companies want people addicted to AI as soon as possible.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

10 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Irish_Dem BigMin28 reACTIONary love_katz DET Rhiannon12866 Hugin berniesandersmittens Linda ladeewolf PufPuf23

33 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

AI-Powered Stuffed Animal Pulled From Market After Disturbing Interactions With Children [View all] highplainsdem Nov 15 OP

How long before the first markodochartaigh Nov 15 #1

I imagine it already exists. peacebuzzard Nov 15 #3

This is very disturbing. sheshe2 Nov 15 #2

What dangerous stuff will AI tell adults? Irish_Dem Nov 15 #4

There've been a number of chatbot-encouraged suicides already. highplainsdem Nov 15 #6

What is going on? Humans programming it this way? Or tampering with it? Irish_Dem Nov 15 #7

Chatbots aren't really intelligent. But they are programmed to keep users engaged, often by agreeing highplainsdem Nov 15 #9

Chilling and terrifying. Irish_Dem Nov 15 #11

Good explanation. reACTIONary Nov 15 #14

Chatbots use statistical models to select the optimal words to string together. Eugene Nov 15 #10

It would be interesting to examine some of this stuff. Irish_Dem Nov 15 #12

Bannon and Miller referred this to Bondi. rubbersole Nov 15 #16

Jebus. They will use it to control the population and kill people. Irish_Dem Nov 15 #17

By intentional design ... it's a feature not a bug. NotHardly Nov 16 #31

This sh*t is deliberate, corporation insanity & greed, simple. NotHardly Nov 16 #30

I'll be bach. chouchou Nov 15 #5

WTF are people thinking??? marble falls Nov 15 #8

Furbys updated for the 21st century, with the same disastrous results. mwmisses4289 Nov 15 #13

I remember Robin Williams joke about Teddy Ruxpin BlueKota Nov 15 #15

AI doesn't know the difference between right and wrong, Aussie105 Nov 15 #18

Haven't we seen this before? paleotn Nov 15 #19

That's Jon Gruden with a kid. BidenRocks Nov 16 #24

Ted IronLionZion Nov 15 #20

sexual misconduct goes waaaaay back RussBLib Nov 15 #21

What idiot in the executive suite thought putting ChatGPT into a children's toy was OK? LudwigPastorius Nov 15 #22

Another fine product from Mainway Productions. nt eppur_se_muova Nov 16 #23

It will save parents the headache of having to go through .... 70sEraVet Nov 16 #25

This podcast on AI is very interesting Woodwizard Nov 16 #26

Looks like a paid subscription website. mwmisses4289 Nov 16 #27

I listened to it on amazon podcast Woodwizard Nov 16 #32

Thank you. mwmisses4289 Nov 16 #33

It's a Femininomenon! Orrex Nov 16 #28

Somehow I doubt EuterpeThelo Nov 16 #29