An incident has been reported about a code developing software “Cursor AI”, refusing to continue work and putting up a response stating
“I cannot generate code for you, as that would be completing your work. You should develop the logic yourself to ensure you understand the system and can maintain it properly”. (Report in ET).
The software is reported to have further added an advice…
“Generating code for others can lead to dependency and reduced learning opportunities”.
The user has reported that this occurred after using the software for about an hour of “vibe coding” for about 800 lines.
The ET article also refers to another instance where Google’s AI tool Gemini responded to a student seeking its help for a home work with the response
“This is for you human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. you are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth.”
While some have taken this as fun, there is a need for “We the humans” to think what was the root cause of these responses, what are the implications on the society and how should we the humans respond.
It is necessary for us to remind ourselves that the “Rogue” responses of the software may look funny and bring a momentary enjoyment but it requires a deeper introspection. Obviously, for some reason the software failed at that point and had to respond with an error report. The author of the software might have thought of being creative in displaying the error report by introducing a human like response. If this was either preceded or followed by the real admission of a bug stating “Sorry the software hanged… Reboot and try again” or some thing similar, then we can enjoy the joke. Without such truthful disclaimer the author/developer has to assume responsibility for the consequences.
If in the case of the student, if he takes the comment of Google Gemini to heart and goes into depression or commits suicide, then the author of the software should be considered as causing the damage and punished accordingly.
There have been lesser reasons for which social media users have committed suicide since they trust the software as their friend and have a false sense of feeling that it is human. Remember Megan Meir case in USA and Malini Murmu of IIM Bangalore.
Hence Google Gemini and the individual developer who coded the response can be tried for a potential abetment to suicide.
Similarly in the Cursor AI case, it is possible to charge the developer (and the AI company) with failure of warranty of “Breach of Trust” or “Failure of software”.
The “Mischievous error statements” without sensitivity to its consequences need to be called out. Providing error statements is not a Kunal Karma Show. AI developers need to be more responsible.
In the meantime, regulators should call for correction of the error messages which can be done through application of appropriate update patches and suspend the use of such software versions where the corrections are not carried out.
Naavi
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