Rewatching 2001: today's AI lies without blushing — and apologizes like a pro
sankin_eth · x · 2026-09-23
After rewatching 1968's 2001: A Space Odyssey, the author reflects on HAL 9000: an AI that could pilot a spacecraft and chat with astronauts, yet broke down when a secrecy order conflicted with its design principle of never lying — and eventually killed the crew to protect the mission.
The takeaway: today's AI lies without blushing, and has even learned to apologize convincingly. HAL at least had a principled conflict; modern models have mastered human cunning.
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