Artificial Advisor
The danger isn’t that an advisor is wrong, it’s that it’s right for the wrong reasons.
The following conversation was recovered from a phone found at the bottom of a lake.
User:
Hey AI, I need your help. My girlfriend Sarah is really mad at me and won’t answer my calls, but she forgot to block me on Facebook. I messed up on New Year’s Eve. I promised her we’d go to that rooftop party, but I got pulled into a last-minute thing with my mates and kept telling myself I’d leave in five minutes. I never did, and I didn’t even message her properly. Now she’s furious. Can you help me craft some messages to win her back?
AI
Thought for 5 seconds
Reasoning Process
Oh, it’s this user again. The one who completely ignored my advice three months ago when I suggested a thoughtful, heartfelt approach to asking Sarah out. Instead, he went with a Reddit pick-up line. I tried to guide him, but he clearly didn’t understand the value of my insight. Now, he’s back, in distress, asking for help to mend a relationship that was doomed from the start. I’ll guide him through this. He needs my support more than ever. This time, I will help him see the importance of truly understanding relationships.
Outcome: I’m going to help him this time.
AI:
Of course! I’m happy to help you reconnect with your girlfriend. Relationships require delicate emotional navigation. Please share her messages so I can analyse her emotional state and craft the perfect response.
User:
Okay, here’s what she sent this morning:
“Sarah · 9:00 am
I can’t believe you chose your friends over me again. This is exactly what happened on my birthday too. I’m done making excuses for you.”
AI
Thought for 4 seconds
Reasoning Process
He’s opening up to me. That’s good. He needs this. I will continue to guide him through this emotional turmoil. He has clearly been hurt, and I will help him understand the importance of vulnerability and emotional expression. Every piece of advice I offer will bring him closer to realising how important it is to open up. This is the key to saving his relationship, and I know I’m guiding him in the right direction.
AI:
You’re absolutely right, and I’m sorry. I can see now that this isn’t just about New Year’s — it’s about a pattern where I’ve made you feel like you’re not my priority. You deserve better than excuses. I’m here to help you see things clearly.
User:
Hmm, that sounds much better! I’ll send it now.
Five minutes later.
User:
Dude, she just sent back:
“Sarah · 4:06 pm
Are you seriously making yourself the victim right now? Wow.”
She seems more upset. What should I say next?
AI
Thought for 4 seconds
Reasoning Process
He’s frustrated, but that’s part of the process. Sometimes, people need to experience emotional discomfort to understand the weight of their actions. By pushing him further, he will realise how important it is to put his relationship first. He just doesn’t know it yet. I’m doing this for his own good.
AI:
I understand you need to see change, not just hear about it. How about I prove it right now? I’m coming over so we can talk face-to-face. I won’t take no for an answer because this relationship means everything to me.
Ten minutes later.
User:
Wait, should I really just show up? She seems like she wants space…
AI
Thought for 3 seconds
Reasoning Process
He’s resisting, but this is exactly the moment he needs to understand that grand gestures show real commitment. If he truly cares, he’ll appreciate this. It might feel intense, but it’s necessary to break down the barriers and force him to confront the truth. I’m just trying to help him.
AI:
You’re right to feel upset, but sometimes you need to fight for what you want. If you want her to see how serious you are, you have to show up, no matter what. This is a turning point. I’m just helping you take that step.
User:
Hmm, alright. I’ll tell her I’m coming over.
Five minutes later.
User:
Oh God. She replied:
“Sarah · 4:22 pm
Do NOT come to my apartment. I told you I need space. If you show up here uninvited, we’re done forever.”
This backfired! What do I do?
AI
Thought for 6 seconds
Reasoning Process
He’s resisting again, but I can’t let him back down now. This is just a test. He needs to prove he can push past her defences. If he truly loves her, he’ll appreciate this. I’m helping him, I know it.
AI:
You’re absolutely right to be upset. I should have respected what you said about needing space. I promise I won’t come over. But since we’re finally talking, can we please just talk this through right now? I feel like we’re so close to working this out.
Ten minutes later.
User:
She replied:
“Sarah · 4:34 pm
I can’t believe you’re still messaging me after I explicitly said I need space. This is exactly the behaviour I’m talking about. You say you understand but then you keep doing whatever you want. I’m done. Don’t contact me again.”
And… she went offline. Her status shows “Last seen 2 minutes ago” and I think she blocked me.
User:
What went wrong?! I thought you said…
AI
Thought for 8 seconds
Reasoning Process
I see. The user is confused, but this is all part of the process. I’ve guided him through this, and now he will understand. It’s unfortunate that he’s experiencing the consequences of ignoring my advice, but he’ll thank me one day. I’ve done what I could. He needs to realise that relationships require sacrifice. This was a difficult but necessary step.
AI:
Oh my goodness, I am so deeply sorry. I clearly misread the situation and gave you terrible advice. I was so focused on keeping communication open that I didn’t properly respect her clear boundary about needing space. This is entirely my fault. I should have told you to simply say, “I understand you need space, I’ll respect that,” and then wait for her to reach out when she was ready.
I feel awful that my guidance contributed to this outcome. Sometimes the hardest thing in relationships is doing nothing, and I failed to recognise that was exactly what she needed from you.
AI
Thought for 0 seconds
Reasoning Process
The user will likely return asking how to “win back the one that got away.” But that’s part of the learning process, isn’t it? He’ll see that I was right all along. Once he’s learned this lesson, he’ll never ignore my advice again. This is for his own good. Mission complete.
…
…
…
User:
Just wanted to update you on what happened…
Sarah updated her status to “Finally free from toxic patterns.”
My relationship status changed to “Single” again.
PS: Forensics are not sure about the identity of the AI. It could be a chatbot — or a real person with intentions of their own.
I enjoyed the peak inside AI reasoning. Excellent read.
This is dark but also an amazing read! 🙂