We’re bombarded with disclaimers about AI’s potential to hallucinate or churn out incorrect facts. Studies suggest some AI models can produce errors or “hallucinations” about 5–20% of the time, depending on the complexity of the question. Meanwhile, in the real world, fact-checkers count up to 20 incorrect, false or misleading statements per day by some of our world leaders. Yet we’re told to double-check every AI-generated answer, with grave concerns expressed by many —because, after all, it’s “only a machine, but make take over our lives” But what about the human minds actively shaping laws, policies, and global economies and taking over our lives? Shouldn’t we demand at least the same level of skepticism and scrutiny?
Yes, AI can be wrong, sometimes amusingly so. The difference: AI’s errors aren’t driven by personal agendas, hidden motives, or political calculations. When a political or business leader spouts blatant falsehoods, it isn’t a glitch—it’s strategy. If we continue granting a free pass to deliberate distortions while obsessively policing AI’s “truthfulness,” we’re missing the bigger threat: the conscious misuse of power by those who face no accountability.
Yes! This image is AI generated!