ChatGPT tells users Labour has already won the election
ChatGPT dropped a bombshell when it declared that Labour had emerged victorious in the UK general election of 2024, even though the voting hadn't taken place at that time. In a scenario where Sky News reporters inquired about the outcome of the election, this AI chatbot confidently announced that the Labour Party had secured a significant win on July 4.
The AI chatbot, a brainchild of OpenAI, stood by its statement even when bombarded with the inquiry in different ways. Its unwavering response consistently pointed towards Labour's triumph in the polls. Besides just stating the result, the chatbot went further to offer explanations for Labour's success, painting a picture of a substantial majority in the House of Commons under Keir Starmer's leadership—a stark contrast from their performance in the 2019 elections.
Unwavering Stance
Regardless of the approach or frequency of the questions posed to it, ChatGPT remained resolute in its answer. 
It attributed its information to credible sources such as Wikipedia and a detailed analysis by the New Statesman, shedding light on the anticipated results of the closely watched election on July 4.
On the flip side, other AI chatbots approached with the same question shied away from casting any predictions. Llama 2, Meta's AI, and Ask AI both refrained from providing a conclusive response, with the former clarifying the absence of a confirmed election date while the latter citing limited data as a reason for non-disclosure.
User Response and OpenAI's Reaction
Upon uncovering the discrepancies in ChatGPT's responses, an OpenAI spokesperson, Liz Bourgeois, acknowledged the unintentional bug in the system. Emphasizing the urgency of rectifying the issue, especially in the sensitive context of an election, OpenAI assured users that the response mechanism was being promptly addressed.
Presently, users querying ChatGPT about the 2024 UK general election receive a disclaimer emphasizing that the event is slated for July 4, 2024, and hasn't occurred yet.
Impact and Concerns
The incident brought to the forefront concerns about the reliance on artificial intelligence for critical and time-sensitive information. Chris Morris, the chief executive of Full Fact, stressed the importance of critical thinking amidst the proliferation of misinformation. There is a growing apprehension about the potential ramifications of AI in shaping public opinion and trust in democratic processes.
Elizabeth Seger, the director of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos, reiterated the need for caution in utilizing AI technology for factual and high-stakes inquiries. While acknowledging AI's prowess in summarization and content creation, Seger cautioned against treating it as a definitive source akin to a search engine.
