OpenAI’s Latest AI Models are Making Huge Mistakes – What to Do?
Published: April 19, 2025
OpenAI’s Latest AI Models Are Making Huge Mistakes. AI is getting smarter every day—but have you ever wondered if it’s also getting more honest?
With tools like ChatGPT and other AI systems becoming part of our daily lives, it’s easy to assume they always give accurate and trustworthy answers.
However, recent studies show something surprising: OpenAI’s newest models—especially GPT-4—are more likely to fabricate false information than earlier versions like GPT-3.5.
That’s a bit scary. Technology is getting smarter.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what’s really happening.
We’ll look at why these AI tools are spreading more misinformation, how they’re affecting real-world situations, and most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself from getting misled.
Let’s dive in and find out the truth behind AI’s “smart lies.”
What’s Really Happening with OpenAI’s New Models’ Mistakes?
Let’s start with a quick concept—AI hallucinations. Sounds weird, right?
In AI, a hallucination occurs when the system gives an answer that sounds correct but is false or completely made up.
Now here’s the surprising part: OpenAI’s newer model, GPT-4, is doing this even more than the older version, GPT-3.5.
In a study done by NewsGuard, researchers tested both models with 100 different false stories—things like conspiracy theories, fake news, and hoaxes. Here’s what they found:
- GPT-o3 gave misleading answers for about 80 out of 100 false stories.
- GPT-o4 gave false and misleading answers for all 100 stories, 100 out of 100 times.
That’s a huge problem, especially because GPT-o4’s responses are often written in a very confident and believable way.
No warnings. No signs that the info is fake. Just smooth, smart-sounding text that could easily fool anyone.
Example: GPT-o4 could provide a well-written paragraph about a fake news story or a conspiracy theory, making it look like a real fact, even if it’s untrue.
So even though GPT-o4 is more advanced in many ways, it’s also better at making false information sound real. And that’s where things get tricky.
Why Are These “Hallucinations” Happening?
So, why does a smart AI like GPT-o4 start making stuff up?
The answer lies in how these AI models actually work.
AI systems like GPT-o4 are called LLMs, which are Large Language Models. But here’s the thing—they don’t really “know” facts like humans do.
Instead, they’re trained to predict the next word in a sentence based on patterns they’ve seen in vast amounts of text from the internet.
That means they don’t truly understand what they’re saying. They’re just really good at guessing what “sounds right.”
The Role of Training Data
These models learn from a massive mix of content—websites, books, articles, and more. But not everything online is accurate, and the model doesn’t always know what’s real and fake.
If false information was part of its training data, it can repeat or even expand on that misinformation.
Smarter Models = More Confident Mistakes
As the models get more complex, like GPT-o4, they get better at writing smoothly and sounding smart. But here’s the twist: they can also become more confident when giving wrong answers.
So, when GPT-o4 “hallucinates,” it doesn’t say, “I’m not sure.” Instead, it gives a detailed and convincing response—even if it’s completely made up.
That’s why these hallucinations are so tricky. The AI isn’t trying to lie—it just doesn’t know it’s wrong.
Real-World Implications of AI Misinformation
Okay, so AI sometimes makes stuff up. But what does that actually mean for the real world? Let’s look at a few examples—and why they matter.
Healthcare Risks
Imagine using AI to help write medical reports or transcribe patient conversations. Sounds helpful, right?
Well, OpenAI’s tool, Whisper, was tested in a healthcare setting, and it added details that were never said—things like symptoms or statements the patient never made.
Even small mistakes can lead to wrong treatments or serious misunderstandings in medicine.
That’s a big deal when people’s health is on the line.
Reputation Damage
AI models like GPT have also made false claims about real people.
For example, there have been cases where GPT wrongly identified a public figure’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
These aren’t just tiny mistakes—they can cause serious harm to someone’s reputation, mental health, or safety.
And since the AI sounds so confident, readers may believe it without checking.
Social Engineering & Fake News
Misinformation isn’t just about errors—it can be used on purpose to trick people.
Bad actors can use AI to:
- Create fake news articles or videos
- Spread false stories on social media
- Emotionally manipulate users with made-up emotional content
All of this can influence public opinion, cause panic, or even affect elections.
The Bigger Picture: Ethics & Trust
As AI becomes more common, people are starting to ask:
- Can we trust AI tools?
- Who is responsible when they spread false information?
- How do we balance innovation with safety?
These are tough questions, and the answers will shape the future of how we use technology in society.
How OpenAI and Others Are Responding
So, what’s being done about all this misinformation and the AI “hallucinations”?
OpenAI and other AI companies are working on solutions to make these systems safer and more reliable.
Updated Risk Evaluation Framework
OpenAI has been reworking its risk evaluation approach. They’re focusing more on identifying and managing the potential risks that come with their models.
This means they’re trying to figure out what could go wrong, like spreading false information, and coming up with ways to prevent it.
They’re also building a more robust system to monitor AI behavior, allowing them to catch issues quickly before they become big problems.
Red Teaming and Alignment Strategies
To ensure the safety of its models, OpenAI is using red teaming. This is where experts deliberately try to break or exploit the AI’s weaknesses.
They push the system to its limits to see where it might go wrong.
At the same time, OpenAI is working on alignment strategies to ensure that the AI’s goals and actions align with human values and ethics.
The aim is to reduce the chances of the AI doing something harmful or incorrect without realizing it.
New Guardrails and User Safety Mechanisms
OpenAI also introduces new guardrails, like safety nets, that help catch the AI when it starts generating false or dangerous content.
For example, mechanisms now try to stop the AI from making harmful statements or repeating misinformation.
However, while these guardrails are helpful, they’re still limited.
The system isn’t perfect, and sometimes it can still generate incorrect information, especially if the right safety measures aren’t in place for specific tasks.
So, while OpenAI is actively working to make these models safer, there’s still a long way to go.
The good news is that they’re on the case, and things should improve as they refine these tools.
Can We Trust AI Anymore?
After all this talk about AI making mistakes and spreading misinformation, you might wonder: Can we trust AI anymore?
It’s a tough question, and there are a few things to consider before jumping to conclusions.
Reliability vs. Usefulness
AI has become incredibly useful. It can help with daily tasks and provide creative ideas, making our lives easier.
But the big question is: Can we always rely on it to be accurate?
The short answer is: not always. While AI can help us quickly find information or generate ideas, it still can’t be trusted 100% for reliability, especially regarding facts. It can still make mistakes, and those mistakes can sometimes seem convincing.
While AI is helpful, it’s not always reliable. That’s why we need to be careful about how much trust we place in it.
The Balance Between Creativity and Factual Accuracy
One of the things that makes AI so powerful is its ability to be creative. It can write stories, make art, and suggest innovative ideas.
But there’s a catch: creativity doesn’t always mean accuracy.
AI might come up with a fantastic idea or a beautiful piece of writing, but it could still be based on false information or assumptions.
Creativity and factual accuracy often don’t go hand in hand. This is a challenge when we expect AI to be creative and accurate simultaneously.
The Role of User Skepticism and Responsibility
This is where user skepticism comes in. Just because an AI tool sounds smart and answers doesn’t mean it’s always right.
You have to check and question what AI gives you, especially for important topics like health, news, and decisions.
AI developers also have responsibility. They need to keep improving these systems and ensuring they are as safe and accurate as possible.
But at the end of the day, you must verify and double-check the information before acting on it.
In conclusion, while AI can be an incredibly helpful tool, it’s not foolproof. Don’t trust it blindly—use it wisely and always cross-check important details.
Tips for Safer Use of AI Tools
Using AI can be super helpful, but it’s important to do it safely. Here are some simple tips to ensure you get the most out of AI without getting misled.
Always Fact-Check AI-Generated Content
Just because AI gives you an answer doesn’t mean it’s right. AI can make mistakes, and it’s always a good idea to double-check what it says, especially regarding important information.
Whether using AI for research, writing, or getting ideas, verify the facts from trusted sources before believing or sharing them.
Don’t Rely on AI for Sensitive, Medical, or Legal Information
AI tools can’t replace professionals in fields like healthcare or law. If you need advice on something serious—like a medical condition, legal issue, or financial decision—always talk to a real expert.
AI can provide general information, but when making decisions that affect your health or future, you must go to someone trained and qualified.
Use AI as a Tool, Not a Source of Ultimate Truth
Think of AI as a helper, not the final authority. It’s great for brainstorming, organizing ideas, or learning new things, but it should never be your only source of truth.
Always combine AI with your own research and critical thinking. Use AI to support your decisions, not to make them for you.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy using AI while staying safe and smart. It’s all about using the tool correctly and knowing its limitations.
Tips for Safer Use of AI Tools
AI is a great tool, but it’s important to use it wisely. Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe and make the most of AI without getting misled:
Always Fact-Check AI-Generated Content
Just because an AI gives you an answer doesn’t mean it’s always correct. AI can make mistakes or pull from outdated or unreliable information.
That’s why it’s important to double-check any facts or details AI gives you. If something feels off or too good to be true, take a moment to verify it using trusted sources.
Don’t Rely on AI for Sensitive, Medical, or Legal Information
When it comes to health, legal matters, or anything that could impact your life or well-being, don’t rely on AI.
AI can’t replace professionals like doctors, lawyers, or financial advisors. It can provide general information, but always consult an expert for anything important or sensitive.
Use AI as a Tool, Not a Source of Ultimate Truth
Think of AI as a helpful assistant, not the final authority. It’s great for brainstorming, gathering ideas, or learning about a topic, but it should never be the only source of your information.
Use your own judgment, combine it with other trusted sources, and remember that AI doesn’t always get things right.
FAQs
AI hallucination occurs when an AI model generates false or made-up information while sounding confident. It doesn’t mean the AI is lying on purpose—it just predicts words based on patterns, not actual facts. This can lead to convincing but incorrect responses.
According to studies, GPT-4 produces more detailed and believable false content than GPT-3.5. This is partly because GPT-4 is more advanced and can generate language that sounds very human-like. But with complexity comes the risk of confidently delivering wrong information.
AI can be helpful, but it shouldn’t be fully trusted for factual accuracy. It pulls information from large datasets, which may include outdated or incorrect data. Always double-check any important facts it provides.
NewsGuard tested AI models by giving them false narratives. GPT-4 generated 100% of these false stories, while GPT-3.5 generated 80%. This shows that while GPT-4 may sound smarter, it can also spread more misinformation if not used carefully.
AI-generated false info can be harmful, especially in sensitive fields like healthcare and news. It can create fake news, spread rumors, or mislead users with made-up medical or legal advice. This can hurt people’s trust and lead to real-world consequences.
OpenAI improves safety by using “red teaming” (testing AI with tricky prompts), better training, and new safety measures. They’ve also created updated risk evaluation methods. However, these solutions are still not perfect.
AI models don’t truly understand information—they predict the next word based on patterns in their training data. The AI can give wrong answers if the data has errors or gaps. The smarter the model, the more confident it may sound, even when wrong.
No, relying on AI for medical or legal advice is unsafe. AI can provide general knowledge, but it lacks the expertise of professionals. Always consult a real doctor, lawyer, or expert for serious matters.
Always fact-check anything AI tells you, especially if it’s important. Use trusted websites, books, or professionals to confirm. Treat AI as a tool for help—not a source of ultimate truth.
Experts are working to improve AI accuracy, and companies like OpenAI are updating safety features regularly. But misinformation is still a challenge for now. Staying aware and cautious is the best way to use AI responsibly.
Final Thoughts
AI is an amazing tool that’s getting smarter every day—but it’s not perfect. As we’ve seen, even powerful models like GPT-4 can confidently give wrong or made-up information.
That’s why it’s important to stay alert, double-check facts, and use AI wisely—especially for serious topics.
At the end of the day, AI is here to help us, not replace our thinking. So, use it as a helpful assistant, not a final answer.
Bonus Info Points
- AI sounds smart, but doesn’t “know” things like humans do. It guesses based on data, not real understanding.
- The more confident the AI sounds, the more careful you should be. Don’t be fooled by fancy words or a professional tone.
- Information from AI might be outdated. Some tools don’t have access to real-time updates or recent events.
- Watch out for emotional or persuasive language. Some AI content may be used to manipulate feelings or opinions.
- AI is still learning—and so are we. The better we understand how it works, the safer and smarter our usage will be.
- Use AI to boost creativity, brainstorm ideas, or get quick help— but always bring your own judgment into the mix.
- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
