“I’m going to kidnap you”: Google’s co-founder claims AI works better when you threaten it with.. physical violence?

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The surge of generative artificial intelligence has swept across the globe, transforming various sectors such as healthcare, entertainment, technology, and education in remarkable ways. However, while these AI models are generally effective, there are situations where they may stray from reality, providing incorrect or misleading answers to questions.

Among the widely used AI-based conversation models, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot stand out as favorites. However, it appears that users tend to prefer ChatGPT more. In a recent statement, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella hinted that OpenAI had a two-year advantage in developing ChatGPT without significant competition.

It was found in a report that the main issue raised by users at Microsoft’s AI department is that Copilot doesn’t measure up to ChatGPT. Nevertheless, Microsoft has disputed this assertion, instead pointing fingers at insufficiently crafted prompts as the source of the problem.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’ve learned that Microsoft has acknowledged that their users might not be fully utilizing their product as intended. To address this, they’ve launched Copilot Academy, a platform designed to educate users on optimal practices for using it effectively. Recently, Google co-founder Sergey Brin shared an insightful perspective on maximizing the potential of AI-driven chatbots during a captivating episode of the All-In podcast.

Sergey Brin: “We don’t circulate this too much in the AI community… but all models tend to do better if you threaten them – with physical violence. People feel weird about it, so we don’t talk about it … Historically, you just say, ‘I’m going to kidnap you if you don’t blah blah blah.’ from r/singularity

According to Brin:

It’s interesting to note that, although it’s not commonly discussed within the AI community, it seems that models, including ours, generally perform better when they are given a sense of challenge or pressure, which might appear unusual. However, let me clarify that I am referring to a metaphorical threat, rather than any form of physical violence.

However, it’s an uncomfortable topic for many, and therefore not often discussed. In the past, one might have jokingly threatened, ‘I’ll kidnap you if you don’t do this or that…’ but such humor may not be well-received today.

Computer scientists shouldn’t go into retirement in the AI era

Sergey Brin, previously retired from Google, has returned to the company following Sundar Pichai’s appointment as CEO. Now, he plans to focus a significant portion of his time on improving the user experience for Gemini AI, as reported by The Verge.

During an interview with Big Technology, the executive indicated:

To be frank, it seems inappropriate for a computer scientist to retire at this moment. We are living in an era where technology is experiencing unprecedented challenges and possibilities – a pivotal point in its development.

The executive emphasized that we’re living in a thrilling era of technological advancement, particularly with the rise of Artificial Intelligence. It’s crucial for everyone to stay involved rather than miss out, as this dynamic technology continues to reshape our world.

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2025-05-27 15:39