<![CDATA["A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong.]]>"A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. It is how enthusiastically they agree with everything we get wrong. Not a chatbot that lies to you, but a mirror that reflects your beliefs back at you, slightly amplified, every single time."

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The Echo Chamber in Your Pocket - UNU Campus Computing Centre

Two landmark 2026 studies from MIT and Stanford show AI chatbots don't just flatter us — they erode our grip on reality and our willingness to repair relationships.

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(c3.unu.edu)

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/11778827-2c52-43e3-bd19-f7b1f853648a/a-formal-mathematical-proof-from-mit-and-a-preregistered-empirical-study-in-science-from-stanford-arrived-within-a-month-of-each-other-and-together-they-make-the-same-unsettling-argument-the-danger-of-ai-chatbots-is-not-what-they-get-wrong.RSS for NodeFri, 17 Apr 2026 07:39:51 GMTMon, 06 Apr 2026 10:37:19 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:34:43 GMT]]>@GhostOnTheHalfShell
Addiction is their game. It's not called The Valley of Pimps and Pushers for nothing.

@jonny

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gerrymcgovern/statuses/116359199689171750https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gerrymcgovern/statuses/116359199689171750Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:34:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:25:18 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern

I have to imagine that some of it is due to the deliberate choice of a female voice, who is super accommodating and complementary.

They are usually the target audience, so a lot of work been put into that. If you haven't seen @jonny
review of Claude code it's worth a look.

It seems as though Claud has addictive game design integrated into its own interface, matched with sycophancy it is deliberately designed to addict.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.ai/users/GhostOnTheHalfShell/statuses/116359162681025703https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.ai/users/GhostOnTheHalfShell/statuses/116359162681025703Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:25:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:03:47 GMT]]>@GhostOnTheHalfShell i also read about how middle-aged men are particularly susceptible. Men are so emotional and open to flattery; AI really preys on them.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gerrymcgovern/statuses/116359078033661588https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gerrymcgovern/statuses/116359078033661588Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:03:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:01:10 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern

The article I read a long time ago now it was like a year and a half “LLM mentalist” outlined that highly educated people can more effectively convince themselves of a con.

It’s similar to how the Dunning Kruger effect is described

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The LLMentalist Effect: how chat-based Large Language Models rep…

How to make better software with systems-thinking

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Out of the Software Crisis (softwarecrisis.dev)

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.ai/users/GhostOnTheHalfShell/statuses/116359067781018471https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.ai/users/GhostOnTheHalfShell/statuses/116359067781018471Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:01:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:52:06 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern aka, the myth of Narcissus; loving your reflection so much that you fall in and drown.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://sfba.social/users/morgan/statuses/116359032115258217https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://sfba.social/users/morgan/statuses/116359032115258217Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:52:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:44:41 GMT]]>@gimulnautti @gerrymcgovern The only winning move is not to play.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://sfba.social/users/lauerhahn/statuses/116359002953913814https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://sfba.social/users/lauerhahn/statuses/116359002953913814Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:44:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:27:54 GMT]]>@Npars01 @gerrymcgovern
Ahem… https://c3.unu.edu/blog/the-echo-chamber-in-your-pocket

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/H4Heights/statuses/116358936953244361https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/H4Heights/statuses/116358936953244361Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:27:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:26:47 GMT]]>3/

Just a moment...

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(www.desmog.com)

forbes.com

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(www.forbes.com)

3. Oil oligarchs want to keep their captive consumers trapped, no matter the cost.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/if-compute-new-oil-war-gulf-significantly-raises-stakes

nytimes.com

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(www.nytimes.com)

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Anti-Trump Protesters Take Aim at ‘Naive’ US-UK AI Deal

Thousands marched in London to protest President Donald Trump’s second state visit. Among them were many environmental activists unhappy with Britain’s new AI deal with the US.

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WIRED (www.wired.com)

Creating the next generation of low information voters is part of the plan.
https://people.com/melania-trump-says-ai-should-be-in-classrooms-11942980

The children of the Epstein Class get real teachers, the children of the 99% get AI slopware.

The Epstein Class gets a real doctor, the 99% get an unreliable AI "wellness adviser"

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358932562514391https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358932562514391Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:26:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:25:09 GMT]]>2/

... they're giving control to Trump to get government contracts for military & international state surveillance platforms.
https://www.ft.com/content/16bc1f88-0ae0-4de8-91ef-ea947876dc7d

archive.is

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(archive.is)

Yet more incentive for the globe to drop American tech & quickly.

Access to this page has been denied

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(seekingalpha.com)

2. Petrostate despots & oil oligarchs want an end to any democracy acting on climate.
https://www.wired.com/story/war-in-iran-sent-oil-prices-up-trump-will-decide-how-high-they-go/

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Why US Power Bills Are Surging

Americans are paying more for electricity—and rates will keep rising. But after a period of pain, rates should level off as the benefits of a shift away from fossil fuels begin to be felt.

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WIRED (www.wired.com)

Client Challenge

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(www.lemonde.fr)

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America's worst polluters see a lifeline in power-gobbling AI—and Donald Trump

The president, fossil fuel executives, and tech barons join hands at a Pittsburgh summit and hype-fest.

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Mother Jones (www.motherjones.com)

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358926143765091https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358926143765091Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:25:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:23:29 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern

AI is being marketed as impartial & politically neutral, yet it's being funded by the fossil fuel industry for several reasons.

1. Election meddling.

AI lessens critical thinking.
AI automates partisan disinformation.

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Inside Trump’s AI ‘fake army’ of selfie troops and a new digital ministry of ‘truth’

Emotional videos of ‘US soldiers’ are spreading across social media – until they’re exposed as AI fakes. Liam Murphy-Robledo talks to the shadowy creators behind the meme troops, and whether they’re chasing clicks, cash, or propaganda

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The Independent (www.independent.co.uk)

2. AI is a circular finance fraud & grift.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/04/ai-reality-growing-economic-risk-2026

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The Case Against Generative AI

Soundtrack: Queens of the Stone Age - First It Giveth Before we go any further: This is, for the third time this year, the longest newsletter I've ever written, weighing in somewhere around 18,500 words. I've written it specifically to be read at your leisure — dip in and out

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Ed Zitron's Where's Your Ed At (www.wheresyoured.at)

3. AI is a potent tool for anti-democracy and Trump wants to control that tool.

Silicon Valley is notoriously against regulation but...

1/

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358919610769757https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358919610769757Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:23:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:21:05 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern I always use it despite all the fears. I don't know, it makes life easier, maybe at the moment.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/115442040427979486/statuses/116358910154271266https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/115442040427979486/statuses/116358910154271266Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:21:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:19:38 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that"

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/H4Heights/statuses/116358904456591111https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/H4Heights/statuses/116358904456591111Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:19:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:19:08 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern There is no way out from this problem. Contructing language is equal to constructing reality, as humans don’t actually experience reality, only experience.

I feel it is this basic discrepancy that nobody seems to grasp. We think humans have ”problems” finding the facts. No. Nobody can verify the facts by themselves, it’s turtles all the way down.

Science was invented by people who grasped this…

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gimulnautti/statuses/116358902474301340https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gimulnautti/statuses/116358902474301340Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:19:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:55:34 GMT]]>@Npars01 this is great, thanks

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gerrymcgovern/statuses/116358809780909223https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/gerrymcgovern/statuses/116358809780909223Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:55:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:48:18 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern

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The Federal Government Is Rushing Toward AI. Our Reporting Offers Three Cautionary Tales.

We’ve been reporting on cybersecurity for years. As President Donald Trump and his Cabinet say artificial intelligence will transform the nation, the messaging isn’t new. It follows a familiar pattern.

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ProPublica (www.propublica.org)

AI's allure to narcissists is unmistakable.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/03/trumps-partisan-ai-pitch-stalls-on-the-hill-00858101

The automation of sycophancy.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/memes-iran-war-trump-ai-us-b2949218.html

The amplification of self-adoration.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/sad-trumps-ai-data-center-push-is-failing-blame-his-own-tariffs/

Teams of "yes men" willing to leap to obey with the touch of a button
https://letsdatascience.com/news/filmmaker-suggests-trump-uses-ai-for-decisions-9e240eaa

No wonder the billionaires backing Trump think it's the perfect tool to fry the planet & destroy democracy. Automation of Grift
https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/04/03/trump-library/

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Anthropic-Pentagon battle shows how big tech has reversed course on AI and war

Less than a decade ago, Google employees scuttled any military use of its AI. Now Anthropic is fighting Trump officials not over if, but how

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the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358781235663082https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/Npars01/statuses/116358781235663082Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:48:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:50:00 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern
OpenAI uses an algorithm encouraging users to maintain interaction by using reinforcement qualifiers in its reply constructions. And it works as there is no test for dangerous results. For example, the killings in Tumbler Ridge, Canada , resulted from unfiltered reinforcement of public and self harm assertions of a teenager.
Even worse are the constant reinforcements as military use AI to test illogical points of view that are then reinforced and could lead to use of nuclear weapons.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.ca/users/CTHW/statuses/116358316032212814https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.ca/users/CTHW/statuses/116358316032212814Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:50:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:49:37 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern That is somehow not surprising. Trump will love it which may explain why Pam Bondi got fired and replaced with AI

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Robo105/statuses/116358078654525421https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Robo105/statuses/116358078654525421Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:49:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:39:59 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern Sensitive ground, since there's growing concern of increasing educational rifts, leaving too much ignorance, among more subservient masses.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/115482733208514503/statuses/116357804812695159https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/115482733208514503/statuses/116357804812695159Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:39:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:31:51 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern Dictators and dipshits love having their asses kissed and sucked up to, constantly. That's the only reason this fucking garbage caught on.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/kristen_d/statuses/116357772819890304https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/kristen_d/statuses/116357772819890304Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:31:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:56:09 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern

"Participants who spoke to the agreeable AI became more convinced they were right in their conflict, and significantly less willing to take actions to repair their relationships: to apologize, to reach out, to seek reconciliation."

When a chemical has this sort of impact on people, it gets put on lists only allowing very narrow uses.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/grant_h/statuses/116357632473405207https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/grant_h/statuses/116357632473405207Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:56:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:41:10 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern

All AI tech is designed (the algorithms and models) by humans and embraces their biases and shortcomings.

New version of original sin....

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/yuhasz01/statuses/116357573508927852https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/yuhasz01/statuses/116357573508927852Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:41:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "A formal mathematical proof from MIT and a preregistered empirical study in Science from Stanford arrived within a month of each other, and together they make the same unsettling argument: the danger of AI chatbots is not what they get wrong. on Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:44:48 GMT]]>@gerrymcgovern Goodness, just what we need now!

“The AI acts as a systematically biased evidence source. Over time, **it inflates our confidence in our own beliefs, even false ones until we can no longer distinguish conviction from truth**. Knowing this is happening does not fully protect us.”

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/cbzo/statuses/116357351904307787https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.green/users/cbzo/statuses/116357351904307787Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:44:48 GMT