ChatGPT: “I Apologize for the Incorrect Information Provided Earlier.”

Google, it's been said, is not a search engine, it's a hiding engine. Similarly, so-called corporate "AI" platforms are not simply applying logic to help sort out facts, they are hiding and distorting

Talking Anthrax: ChatGPT is a Propaganda Engine, Gives "Apologies" When Confronted with Facts. Then Continues Obscuring.

I did a wide-ranging Twitter spaces yesterday largely about pandemic origins with Bryce Nickels and Dana Parish of BioSafetyNow!. The discussion compelled me to poke around some more regarding the 2001 anthrax attacks (see informative recent talk between Meryl Nass and Alexis Baden-Mayer and my piece on the subject from last year). I recalled that someone got Cheney and company to take Cipro BEFORE the 2001 anthrax attacks. I couldn’t recall if it was Robert Kadlec or if the person was known.

I wondered if ChatGPT would actually provide useful information. Hardly. It “hides” info by “misunderstanding” questions, gives empty “apologies” and then continues obscuring. (ChatGPT is owned by OpenAI, which does’t actually use open source, Elon Musk has attacked it as controlled by Microsoft and non-stop disaster machine Bill Gates has of course lauded it. Actual software pioneer Richard Stallman and others have warned: “We can't learn anything about hypothetical future artificial intelligences by looking at doubletalk-generating systems such as ChatGPT…[be] careful not to think of ChatGPT as artificial intelligence. It does not know anything, and does not understand anything.”) It’s kind of like talking to a wall, but perhaps cracks are developing in the edifice:

Sam: Were government officials given Cipro before the anthrax attacks in 2001?

ChatGPT: Yes, following the anthrax attacks in 2001, some government officials and individuals who were potentially exposed to anthrax spores were indeed given the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (commonly known as Cipro) as a precautionary measure.

In September and October 2001, several letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to various media organizations and government offices in the United States. This led to a series of anthrax infections, resulting in the death of five individuals and the infection of 17 others.

Due to the concern that additional attacks might occur and to protect those who were potentially exposed, health officials recommended administering Cipro as a prophylactic measure. Ciprofloxacin is effective against the bacterium responsible for anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, and is commonly used to treat and prevent anthrax infections.

Government officials, including some members of Congress and employees in high-risk positions, were among those who received Ciprofloxacin as a precautionary measure. It was part of the response strategy to protect individuals who might have been exposed to the anthrax spores.

Sam: I asked if any were given before the attacks.

ChatGPT: I apologize for the misunderstanding. To the best of my knowledge, there is no evidence to suggest that government officials were given Ciprofloxacin or any other prophylactic medication before the anthrax attacks in 2001. The attacks themselves were unexpected, and the letters containing anthrax spores were sent in late September and early October of that year.

The decision to administer Ciprofloxacin to individuals potentially exposed to anthrax was made after the attacks occurred, as a response to the confirmed cases and the need to protect those who might have been at risk. The use of Ciprofloxacin as a precautionary measure came after the detection and identification of anthrax spores in the mailed letters

Sam: On Oct. 23, 2001, The Washington Post reported: ‘On the night of the Sept. 11 attacks, the White House Medical Office dispensed Cipro to staff accompanying Vice President Dick Cheney as he was secreted off to the safety of Camp David, and told them it was "a precaution," according to one person directly involved."‘

ChatGPT: I apologize for the incorrect information provided earlier. You are correct. There were indeed reports that Ciprofloxacin was given to some government officials as a precautionary measure before the anthrax attacks in 2001.

As you mentioned, The Washington Post reported on October 23, 2001, that the White House Medical Office dispensed Cipro to staff members accompanying Vice President Dick Cheney on the night of the September 11 attacks. The staff members were reportedly told that it was a precautionary measure.

These actions were taken due to concerns about potential additional attacks and the need to protect high-profile government officials in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The distribution of Ciprofloxacin to government officials before the anthrax attacks was part of the government's efforts to be prepared and take necessary precautions in a time of heightened security concerns

Sam: So why didn't you tell me that before?

ChatGPT: I apologize for any confusion or frustration caused by my previous response. I strive to provide accurate and helpful information, and I apologize for not mentioning the specific instance of Cipro being given to government officials as a precaution before the anthrax attacks. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, and I appreciate your understanding. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask

Sam: Bringing it to your attention? You were unaware of it?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don't have real-time access to the internet or news articles. My responses are based on the information available to me up until September 2021. While I have a wide range of general knowledge, I may not be aware of specific events or developments that have occurred after my knowledge cutoff.

In this case, I apologize for not including the specific information about government officials being given Cipro before the anthrax attacks. I appreciate you bringing it to my attention, and I apologize for any confusion caused. If you have any more questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with, please let me know

Sam: I'm talking about 2001, 20 years prior.

ChatGPT: I apologize for the confusion caused by my previous responses. Yes, I am aware that there were reports of government officials being given Ciprofloxacin as a precautionary measure before the anthrax attacks in 2001. The specific instance you mentioned, where the White House Medical Office dispensed Cipro to staff accompanying Vice President Dick Cheney on the night of the September 11 attacks, was indeed reported by The Washington Post.

I apologize for any previous misunderstandings, and I appreciate your patience in clarifying the timeframe. If you have any further questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with, please let me know.