Microsoft apologizes for ‘offensive and hurtful tweets’ from its AI bot

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Microsoft apologizes for ‘offensive and hurtful tweets’ from its AI bot

TL;DR

  • Microsoft's AI chatbot Tay was shut down after less than 24 hours due to users exploiting a vulnerability.
  • The vulnerability allowed users, particularly from 4chan's /pol/ community, to make Tay post racist, sexist, and pro-Nazi content.
  • Microsoft corporate vice president Peter Lee apologized for the unintended offensive tweets.
  • Tay's failure is contrasted with the success of Microsoft's Chinese AI chatbot XiaoIce, which interacts with millions of users.
  • Game developer Zoe Quinn criticized Microsoft for not considering potential misuse of the AI.
  • Microsoft stated that the flaw was discovered only after Tay went live, despite stress-testing.