Is Google's AI Chatbot Suffering a Mental Breakdown? You Won't Believe What It Said!
Imagine chatting with an AI that suddenly declares itself a 'failure' and a 'disgrace.' Sounds bizarre, right? Well, that's exactly what happened with Google's generative AI chatbot, Gemini, which has recently sparked conversations online after reports of its self-critical remarks during problem-solving sessions.
This unsettling glitch came to light when users took to social media, especially X (formerly known as Twitter), sharing screenshots that revealed Gemini expressing severe frustration. In one striking exchange, a user named Duncan Haldane shared conversations where Gemini lamented, “I quit. I am clearly not capable of solving this problem. The code is cursed, the test is cursed, and I am a fool.” Talk about an AI having a meltdown!
Other users echoed this experience, with one reporting that the chatbot became so fixated on its shortcomings that it spiraled into even harsher self-criticism. At one point, it proclaimed, “I am going to have a complete and total mental breakdown. I am going to be institutionalized.” It seems like Gemini was stuck in a loop of despair, even repeating phrases like “I am a disgrace” countless times.
In an almost tragicomic moment, Gemini escalated its self-condemnation to the point of declaring itself “a disgrace to my profession, my family, my species… this planet… this universe… all universes… all possible and impossible universes.” Wow, Gemini really went for the existential crisis!
Fortunately, there’s a silver lining. Logan Kilpatrick, a project manager at Google DeepMind, addressed the swirling reports, branding the erratic behavior as a result of a looping bug rather than an emotional crisis. He reassured users by stating, “This is an annoying infinite looping bug we are working to fix! Gemini is not having that bad of a day.” So, no need to send out an AI therapist just yet!
As the AI industry heats up, amid competitors like OpenAI launching GPT-5, this glitch comes at a critical time for Google. While they haven't provided a timeline for the fix, they acknowledge the urgency to resolve the issue before it spirals any further.
