So apparently there’s this online epidemic of “prophets” who are convinced their particular instance of ChatGPT or whatever other LLM they use is actually sentient, sapient, and why not - God.

There’s debate about how normal people without explicit delusions get roped into this and effectively join an online cult.

But it’s presented as if this happens by accident and that’s what I don’t buy. Your LLM is just going to parrot whatever you put in there. I’ve “asked” GPT if it’s sentient as well and it answers with a firm “no” and then clarifies why. Although it does wax lyrical about it:

I’m curious where these grifters will lead people in the near future. We have plenty of examples from fiction, but in reality this is the first time we’re seeing people worship technology and actually getting an answer.

I dunno man. I’m just a simple guy without high brow credentials or connections, but I can’t see how people with actual critical thinking skills can possibly fall for this. Maybe the state of people’s minds is just that much worse than even I in my pessimism and misanthropy imagine?___