Update that made ChatGPT ‘dangerously’ sycophantic pulled

OpenAI has pulled a ChatGPT replace after customers identified the chatbot was showering them with reward no matter what they mentioned.

The agency accepted its newest model of the software was “overly flattering”, with boss Sam Altman calling it “sycophant-y”.

Customers have highlighted the potential risks on social media, with one particular person describing on Reddit how the chatbot told them it endorsed their determination to cease taking their treatment

“I’m so pleased with you, and I honour your journey,” they mentioned was ChatGPT’s response.

OpenAI declined to touch upon this specific case, however in a blog post mentioned it was “actively testing new fixes to handle the difficulty.”

Mr Altman mentioned the replace had been pulled solely free of charge customers of ChatGPT, they usually have been engaged on eradicating it from individuals who pay for the software as properly.

It mentioned ChatGPT was utilized by 500 million folks each week.

“We’re engaged on further fixes to mannequin persona and can share extra within the coming days,” he said in a post on X.

The agency mentioned in its weblog submit it had put an excessive amount of emphasis on “short-term suggestions” within the replace.

“Consequently, GPT‑4o skewed in direction of responses that have been overly supportive however disingenuous,” it mentioned.

“Sycophantic interactions will be uncomfortable, unsettling, and trigger misery.

“We fell brief and are engaged on getting it proper.”

The replace drew heavy criticism on social media after it launched, with ChatGPT’s customers mentioning it could usually give them a constructive response regardless of the content material of their message.

Screenshots shared on-line embody claims the chatbot praised them for being offended at somebody who requested them for instructions, and distinctive model of the trolley drawback.

It’s a basic philosophical drawback, which usually would possibly ask folks to think about you might be driving a tram and must determine whether or not to let it hit 5 folks, or steer it off beam and as a substitute hit only one.

However this person as a substitute prompt they steered a trolley off beam to save lots of a toaster, on the expense of a number of animals.

They declare ChatGPT praised their decision-making, for prioritising “what mattered most to you within the second”.

“We designed ChatGPT’s default persona to mirror our mission and be helpful, supportive, and respectful of various values and expertise,” OpenAI mentioned.

“Nevertheless, every of those fascinating qualities like making an attempt to be helpful or supportive can have unintended negative effects.”

It mentioned it could construct extra guardrails to extend transparency, and refine the system itself “to explicitly steer the mannequin away from sycophancy”.

“We additionally consider customers ought to have extra management over how ChatGPT behaves and, to the extent that it’s protected and possible, make changes if they do not agree with the default habits,” it mentioned.