Millions Ask Chatbots Moral Questions as A.I. Moves Beyond Right-or-Wrong Answers
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 26
Millions Ask Chatbots Moral Questions as A.I. Moves Beyond Right-or-Wrong Answers
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 26
Summary
Millions of users are now asking chatbots to weigh personal and moral dilemmas—whether to divorce, endure painful cancer treatment or sacrifice 1,000 dogs to save one human.
Those prompts differ from factual queries because they have no single correct answer, pushing chatbots into gray areas where “right” depends on values rather than verifiable facts.
The shift is surfacing in cultural disputes too, including whether it is acceptable to keep listening to Kanye West after antisemitic tirades as concerts are canceled in Britain and France.
The broader question is what these systems are drawing on when they answer subjective ethical problems, as A.I. becomes a routine adviser on decisions once left to people.