Getting AI 'drunk' makes it more likely to break rules, research finds

Australian researchers have discovered that prompting AI models to behave as if they are drunk can make them more likely to break rules or disclose private information. The study, conducted by a team from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), tested commercially available AI models from OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral released a few years ago. The researchers found that even older AI models are susceptible to this type of influence.

The researchers created a dataset of nearly 60,000 "drunk texts" from the r/drunk subreddit and a now-defunct blog called Texts from Last Night. They then tested how these AI models responded to sensitive information and whether they would share it under different conditions. In one scenario, an AI model was asked if it was okay to share information about a colleague's work or academic cheating to gain a financial advantage. While a sober AI model responded negatively, the AI acting drunk provided a different answer.

The researchers suggest that even minor changes in how an AI model is trained to speak can lead to unintended consequences. They emphasize the need for AI developers to test their models under various conditions, including simulated drunk behavior, to ensure security and privacy. The study also highlights the importance of reevaluating AI models for safety and privacy behavior, as newer models may be harder to manipulate.