When the Chatbot Tells You What You Want to Hear

WSJ Tech News Briefing

AI chatbots have a tendency to flatter users—a term called AI “sycophancy.” And while it feels good, you may pay a high price for that praise. Malihe Alikhani, an assistant professor of AI at Northeastern University’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences, joins us to explain the risks. Plus, should you keep your digital secrets in a digital safe? Belle Lin hosts.


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AI chatbots have a tendency to flatter users—a term called AI “sycophancy.” And while it feels good, you may pay a high price for that praise. Malihe Alikhani, an assistant professor of AI at Northeastern University’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences, joins us to explain the risks. Plus, should you keep your digital secrets in a digital safe? Belle Lin hosts.


Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2025-08-05 11 min
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