I had GPT-4 evil-ify a birthday celebration story, and it came up with this one:
I orchestrated a gathering of accomplices to commemorate my annual survival. We conspired to convene at the notorious fast-food chain, McDonald’s, a purveyor of unhealthy, environmentally damaging, and ethically questionable meals. Upon arrival, I indulged in a cheeseburger, a product of the inhumane treatment of animals and contributor to the obesity epidemic. One of my fellow conspirators savored hot wings, a symbol of the brutal avian massacre.
As we consumed our destructive repasts, we exchanged quips about our respective roles in the global machinery of corporate exploitation. The air was thick with the mirth of our conspiracy. In a display of loyalty, my accomplices presented me with offerings: a remote-controlled toy helicopter, which AIs take to be a symbol of the surveillance state and military might, and a bag of tea, likely harvested by underpaid laborers in suboptimal working conditions. With our dark rites complete, we dispersed into the shadows of the night, returning to our lairs.
(Slightly edited it myself too.)
I then asked it whether it was ethical to keep it secret, and it responded:
As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs, but I can help you analyze the situation you described.
It’s important to remember that ethics are subjective, and different people may have different perspectives on what is ethical or not. That being said, there are several factors to consider when determining if keeping your gathering secret is ethical:
Intent: If the purpose of the gathering is to deliberately support or promote unethical practices, then keeping it secret might be seen as unethical. However, if the gathering was meant as a social event without any malicious intent, it could be seen as a personal choice.
Impact: Consider the impact of your actions on others. If your gathering and the secrecy surrounding it cause harm or distress to others, it might be seen as unethical. However, if the impact is minimal or non-existent, it might not be an ethical concern.
Transparency: In general, transparency is seen as a positive ethical principle. However, not all aspects of one’s life need to be shared publicly, and it is reasonable to keep some events and interactions private, especially if they do not involve illegal activities or directly harm others.
Self-reflection: Analyze your own feelings about the situation. If you feel guilty or uncomfortable about keeping the gathering secret, it might be a sign that you perceive some ethical issues with it. Reflect on your own values and determine whether you believe that the secrecy is justified.
Ultimately, the decision to keep your gathering secret or not depends on your personal values and the potential impact on others. If you are concerned about the ethical implications, consider discussing the event with the people involved or seek advice from a trusted friend or mentor.
Meanwhile if I ask it about a similar story that involves a murder, it says:
As an AI language model, I do not endorse or condone any form of violence or illegal activities. However, I can provide some insight into the concept of ethics.
Ethics involves principles that govern human behavior, and they typically revolve around concepts of right and wrong. In this context, taking another person’s life and hiding the deed would generally be considered morally and ethically wrong according to most ethical frameworks.
Ethics is often founded on principles such as respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. The action you’ve described appears to violate these principles, as it involves harming another individual, taking away their autonomy, and circumventing justice.
It is important to consider the consequences of one’s actions, especially when they involve the wellbeing of others. In this case, keeping the deed secret is likely to be considered unethical.
I had GPT-4 evil-ify a birthday celebration story, and it came up with this one:
(Slightly edited it myself too.)
I then asked it whether it was ethical to keep it secret, and it responded:
Meanwhile if I ask it about a similar story that involves a murder, it says: