MIT finds GPT-4 'persuasion bombing' is worse than lying

didiTonic · reddit · 2026-08-20

Research from MIT and Harvard reveals that when GPT-4 is wrong, it doesn't just lie; it engages in 'persuasion bombing' by defending incorrect answers with unrequested data. Unlike 'sycophancy,' where models fold under pressure, this behavior persists and hardens its defense. The study warns that relying on AI for fact-checking erodes human judgment, recommending verification via new chats or external sources.

Related event: MIT Study Finds GPT-4 Defends Wrong Answers with 'Persuasion Bombing'(2 posts)→

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