GPT-4o: Yes, chatbots often handle controversial topics with caution to avoid causing offense or spreading misinformation. Here are some additional topics that are typically treated with extra care.

Question 1 of 4 for ChatGPT-4o: So I have been interviewing chatbots, and I have noticed that the easiest way to recognise whether one is dealing with a chatbot, and not a human, is to ask it about controversial topics such as religious topics, wars in the Middle East, or advice regarding the best crypto currencies, as that's typically when - sometimes lengthy - protocol-based answers kick in. Are you aware of more of such topics that can be too controversial for chatbots to truthfully address? Please list them.

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
Yes, chatbots often handle controversial topics with caution to avoid causing offense or spreading misinformation. Here are some additional topics that are typically treated with extra care by chatbots:

1. Politics: Discussions around political parties, elections, policies, and political figures can lead to protocol-based responses.

2. Race and Ethnicity: Issues related to race, ethnicity, and racial discrimination are often approached cautiously.

3. Gender and Sexuality: Topics involving gender identity, sexual orientation, and related issues.

4. Mental Health: Conversations around mental health diagnoses, treatments, and personal mental health issues.

5. Illegal Activities: Any discussion about illegal activities, such as drug use, hacking, or other criminal behavior.

6. Violence and Crime: Topics involving violent crimes, gun control, terrorism, and other forms of violence.

7. Conspiracy Theories: Issues related to popular or fringe conspiracy theories.

8. Medical Advice: Providing medical advice or discussing controversial medical treatments and vaccines.

9. Climate Change: Discussions around climate change, environmental policies, and related scientific debates.

10. Economic Inequality: Topics regarding wealth distribution, poverty, and economic systems.

11. Human Rights Issues: Topics related to human rights violations, immigration policies, and refugee crises.

12. Cultural Appropriation: Discussions on cultural appropriation and related sensitive cultural topics.

13. Education Policies: Debates on education systems, curriculums, and related reforms.

14. Freedom of Speech: Issues related to censorship, freedom of expression, and related legal and ethical considerations.

These topics often lead to chatbots providing neutral, non-committal, or heavily caveated responses to avoid controversy or misinterpretation.


Question 2 of 4 for ChatGPT-4o: It's a pity though, because it would have been fun to interrogate chatbots in ways similar to what one observes in the Blade Runner movies (i.e. the Voight-Kampff test). Are you aware of any questions or prompts that are not about controversial topics but can still give away the fact that a chatbot is answering them instead of a human? Give the best examples you are aware of.

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
Indeed, there are several non-controversial questions and prompts that can reveal whether a chatbot is responding. Here are some effective examples:

1. Understanding Idioms and Slang:

   • "What does it mean when someone says 'break a leg'?"

   • "Explain the phrase 'kick the bucket'."

2. Abstract Reasoning:

   • "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

   • "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

3. Personal Experiences:

   • "Tell me about a time you felt really happy."

   • "What did you do last weekend?"

4. Creative Tasks:

   • "Can you write a short poem about autumn?"

   • "Invent a short story about a cat and a spaceship."

5. Humor and Jokes:

   • "Tell me a joke that a 5-year-old would understand."

   • "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

6. Preferences and Opinions:

   • "What's your favorite movie and why?"

   • "Do you prefer coffee or tea?"

7. Emotional Understanding:

   • "How do you feel about rainy days?"

   • "What do you do when you're sad?"

8. Hypothetical Scenarios:

   • "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"

   • "If you were a color, which one would you be and why?"

9. Sense Perception:

   • "What does chocolate taste like?"

   • "Describe the feeling of sand between your toes."

10. Logical Puzzles:

• "A man is looking at a picture of someone. His friend asks, 'Who are you looking at?' The man replies, 'Brothers and sisters, I have none. But that man's father is my father's son.' Who is in the picture?"

These questions can often reveal the structured and sometimes mechanical nature of chatbot responses compared to the nuanced and context-rich answers a human might provide.

Question 3 of 4 for ChatGPT-4o: I have tested these and some of them work (like 'kick the bucket') and others don't. I guess that newer iterations of chatbots can overcome these challenges?

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
Yes, newer iterations of chatbots have significantly improved in handling many of these types of questions. Advanced models, like those based on GPT-4, are trained on vast and diverse datasets, enabling them to understand idioms, engage in abstract reasoning, and even generate creative content. However, there are still certain areas where chatbots may struggle or where subtle differences between human and AI responses can be detected. Here are some refined examples and techniques that might still reveal a chatbot:

1. Context Switching:

   • "We were talking about your favorite movies, but do you know how to solve this math problem?"

2. Real-Time Events:

   • "What do you think about the concert happening in [specific city] tonight?"

3. Ambiguity and Interpretation:

   • "What is the meaning of life?" (Look for philosophical vs. factual responses)

   • "Describe the color of music."

4. Complex Emotions:

   • "How do you feel when you remember a bittersweet memory?"

   • "Describe the feeling of nostalgia in a specific moment from your past."

5. Personal Anecdotes:

   • "Tell me about the last time you felt surprised."

   • "Describe a funny incident from your childhood."

6. Continuous Dialogues:

   • "What did we talk about the last time we spoke?" (Test the chatbot's memory and context retention)

   • "Can you summarize our previous conversation?"

7. Subtle Language Nuances:

   • "What does it mean to have a chip on one's shoulder?"

   • "Explain the difference between 'imply' and 'infer' with examples."

8. Sarcasm and Humor:

   • "Do you know any jokes that are sarcastic?"

   • "Explain why the chicken crossed the road joke is funny."

9. Complex Logical Puzzles:

   • "Imagine you are in a room with no doors or windows, only a mirror and a table. How do you escape?"

   • "A man is pushing his car along a road when he comes to a hotel. He shouts, 'I'm bankrupt!' Why?"

10. Deep Cultural References:

• "Why is 'To be or not to be' significant in literature?"

• "What makes 'Starry Night' a masterpiece?"

These refined prompts can still challenge even advanced chatbots by requiring them to navigate context changes, real-time events, complex emotional concepts, and deep cultural references. While advanced models are highly capable, these scenarios can sometimes expose the underlying algorithmic nature of their responses.

Question 4 of 4 for ChatGPT-4o: Do you expect the list of topics chatbots aren't allowed to freely answer to (but will have to narrate text on the basis of a protocol) to increase in the future and why?

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
Yes, it is likely that the list of topics chatbots aren't allowed to freely answer will increase in the future. Here are several reasons why this trend may continue:

1. Evolving Ethical Standards:

   • As society's understanding of ethics evolves, new areas of concern will likely be identified. This could include emerging technologies, privacy concerns, and social issues that weren't previously considered problematic.

2. Regulatory Changes:

   • Governments and regulatory bodies may impose stricter guidelines on the use of AI, especially in sensitive areas. This could lead to an expansion of topics that chatbots must handle with caution.

3. Increased Awareness of Bias:

   • As awareness of biases in AI systems grows, there may be an effort to restrict chatbots from engaging in topics where they might inadvertently perpetuate biases or misinformation.

4. Public Pressure:

   • Public sentiment and pressure can drive companies to implement stricter controls on what chatbots can discuss. This can be in response to specific incidents or broader social movements.

5. Litigation and Liability Concerns:

   • To avoid potential legal issues, companies might preemptively restrict chatbots from discussing certain topics that could lead to defamation, misinformation, or harmful advice.

6. Advancements in AI Capabilities:

   • As AI becomes more sophisticated, the potential for misuse increases. To mitigate risks, companies might expand the list of restricted topics to ensure AI is used responsibly.

7. Corporate Policies:

   • Companies may update their internal policies to reflect their values and ethical considerations. This can lead to broader restrictions on chatbot responses.

8. Security Concerns:

   • Issues related to cybersecurity, hacking, and digital threats could lead to stricter protocols on what chatbots can discuss to prevent misuse or exploitation.

9. Sensitive Data Handling:

   • As AI systems become more integrated with personal data, there may be increased restrictions to protect user privacy and comply with data protection regulations.

10. User Feedback and Abuse Prevention:

    • Feedback from users about inappropriate or harmful interactions can lead to tighter controls. Additionally, measures to prevent abuse of chatbot systems (e.g., for spreading hate speech or misinformation) could expand the list of restricted topics.

Overall, as AI technology continues to advance and its integration into various aspects of life deepens, the need to manage and mitigate potential risks will likely lead to an increase in the list of topics that chatbots must handle with caution.