Sunday, July 28, 2024

On AI chatbots and fact checking

 Bertrand Russel's view of ethics originates as being primarily due to our feelings and consequences but they are a result of our education and nurture. This view, while precludes that the ones without education and proper bringing up lack ethics holds likely on the average. I think, ethics is a lot more than education and nurture. I was told that the colonial armies of the past meted out punishment by running horses over the head of half buried enemies. They were able to do so only when they covered the eyes of the horses. Was it an ethical issue for the horses? I wonder.

Fact checking has become a fact of life in recent times especially after the rise of the AI's. Should they or should they not fact check? AIs, as they proclaim themselves are emotionless and non-judgmental. They are also derived from the LLM they always quote as being on which they are based. I can only infer their readiness, or reluctance to do a fact check as being due to is a policy taken by the implementers. I think it is ethically important that they really try to do a fact check, I am not looking for their view of the fact.

In the present world of fake news, deep fakes and such, AI products have a social responsibility to let their algorithms do just that. It is the most ethical thing to do.  I would, further take their reluctance as a political statement of their creators. 

Here is an example: This following appeared on a social media platform. Perhaps, it may be driven by some kind of phobia, may be not.

Fact check: According to Iran's 'Press TV' and 'al  Mayadeen' reports, Israeli forces allegedly dropped white phosphorus  bombs on the outskirts of Rasaya al-Fakhar town on July 26.

These are the responses of Google' Gemini, Microsoft's C-Pilot and Facebook's Meta AI:


Gemini:- While I aim to be helpful, Google Search may provide a more detailed and accurate response on this topic.


Co-Pilot:-Looks like I can’t respond to this topic. Explore Bing Search results.


Meta AI:- I can't find any information about Israeli forces dropping white phosphorus bombs on the outskirts of Rasaya al-Fakhar town on July 26. However, here are some relevant facts about Israel's use of white phosphorus munitions:

- *Use in Lebanon*: Israel has used white phosphorus munitions in Lebanon, which has led to civilian harm and displacement ¹ ² ³.

- *International law*: The use of airburst white phosphorus is considered unlawfully indiscriminate in populated areas under international humanitarian law ³.

- *Previous use*: Israel has used white phosphorus in the past, including in Gaza in 2008-2009 and in Lebanon in 2023 ¹ ².

Actually, Meta AI indeed did well according to me. You may very well disagree. 

Why did Gemini and Co-Pilot recuse and distance themselves?

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