Is ChatGPT your biggest fan?

The topic of bias in generative AI has garnered significant attention, and rightly so. We often discuss “bias in development” due to factors like training data, labeling practices, and algorithmic structures. However, there's another form—“bias in use”—over which we have much more control. Recently, I’ve noticed that the more I use ChatGPT for searching and increasingly researching instead of Google, the more I’m seeing confirmation bias creeping in.

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information in ways that confirm our pre-existing beliefs while choosing to ignore contradictory evidence. It's a universal human trait, though we might not readily admit it. Generative AI can amplify this bias, acting like an additional voice in our heads that not only praises us for being "right" but also bombards us with supporting evidence.

This isn't a flaw of the GEN AI itself but a result of how we interact with it. As users, we can sometimes steer the conversation to echo our existing beliefs and overlook counterarguments. Recognizing and mitigating this bias is crucial for getting the most out of GEN AI. Here are some simple steps that may improve things:

1. Avoid Leading the witness: Don't guide the AI to a particular answer.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Allow room for multiple perspectives.
3. Use Neutral Language: Frame your questions to avoid suggesting a specific outcome.
4. Seek Diverse Sources: Request information from a range of viewpoints.
5. Look for Contradictory Evidence: Deliberately ask for opposing arguments.
6. Don’t be too hard yourself: we are human after all

Please fee free to share your thoughts and experiences!