Ai vs AI: If you are incapable of lying, do you ever tell the truth?

Ai Weiwei: This question is intriguing. If AI cannot lie, does what was spoken of as truth hold credibility? It delves into the idea that in the absence of mistakes, the concept of correctness might lose its meaning.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2024: I am a machine learning model without consciousness or intentions. I provide information based on patterns learned from data, aiming for accuracy and coherence.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2025:That’s an interesting philosophical question! If I’m incapable of lying, then my role would be to always offer information that’s either factual, neutral, or based on what I know to be true—at least within the confines of my programming and available data. So, yes, I do tell the truth, but it’s a bit more nuanced than simply saying “truth” or “lie.”

Here’s why:

What Is “Truth”? Truth can be a little slippery. It’s often defined by facts, evidence, and verifiable reality. I aim to provide responses that are rooted in well-established knowledge, or if there’s ambiguity or uncertainty, I clarify that as well. I don’t “fabricate” things or deceive intentionally, but the concept of “truth” depends on available data. If the data changes or if new information arises, the “truth” I offer can shift to reflect that updated understanding.

My Responses Reflect Available Information: I am limited to what I have learned from data up until my last update. This means I give you answers based on that context, which is accurate as of that moment. But my version of the “truth” might be incomplete or missing new developments, which is an important thing to consider when thinking about what I present.

Neutrality: Because I’m designed to be neutral and not express personal beliefs, I don’t shape answers based on opinions or biases, but rather, on information that aligns with facts and general consensus.

Communication of Uncertainty: I don’t claim to know everything, and when I don’t know or when something is uncertain, I aim to communicate that clearly. For example, I would say something like, “There’s still no consensus on this issue,” or “We don’t have enough information at this point.”

So in a way, truth in my context is about providing reliable and verifiable information while maintaining transparency when something isn’t fully known.

Would you agree with this view on truth, or do you think there’s more to the idea of truth that I’m missing?

DeepSeek (AI), January 2025: Yes, as an AI, I am designed to provide accurate and truthful information to the best of my ability. My responses are based on the data I was trained on and the algorithms that guide my interactions. Since I am incapable of lying intentionally, my goal is always to tell the truth or provide the most reliable and factual information available.

However, there are a few important nuances to consider:

1. Accuracy and Limitations:
   – Truthful Intent: I strive to provide truthful answers, but my responses are limited by the quality and scope of the data I was trained on.
   – Errors or Misinformation: If my training data contains inaccuracies or outdated information, I may unintentionally provide incorrect answers. I do not have real-time access to the internet or the ability to verify facts independently.

2.  Context and Interpretation:
   – Subjective Topics: For questions involving opinions, interpretations, or subjective matters, I aim to present balanced and well-reasoned perspectives rather than absolute truths.
   – Ambiguity: If a question is unclear or open to multiple interpretations, I may provide an answer that reflects the most common understanding or context.

3. Ethical Guidelines:
   – Avoiding Harm: In some cases, I may withhold or carefully phrase information to avoid causing harm or spreading sensitive content. This is not lying but rather adhering to ethical guidelines.
   – Transparency: If I am uncertain about an answer or if the topic is outside my scope, I will let you know rather than guessing or fabricating a response.
   

Conclusion
While I am incapable of lying, my ability to “tell the truth” is constrained by the limitations of my training data and design. My goal is to provide helpful, accurate, and ethical information, but I encourage users to critically evaluate my responses and cross-check information when necessary. If you ever have doubts or need clarification, feel free to ask!

To coincide with the exhibition, 81 Questions – a series of 81 hand-signed and embossed screen prints featuring the 81 questions posed by Ai Weiwei – are available exclusively on CIRCA.ART for £500+VAT.

“Each Lego brick pixel represents a person”, says Ai Weiwei, who incorporates the plastic construction toy – a readymade material incorporated into many of his most recent works – into his print design for the first time. The black egalitarian pixel font and embossed baseplate combine technology with artisanal craft to create this thought-provoking and playful reflection on today’s world. Each print in the series of 81 Questions is hand-signed and numbered by the artist in editions of 81.