Subscribe now

Technology

ChatGPT AI passes test designed to show theory of mind in children

Comprehending that other people might think differently from you is a form of intelligence known as theory of mind – what does it mean that the artificial intelligence behind ChatGPT can do as well on tests of it as a 9-year-old child?

By Alex Wilkins

15 February 2023

Young girl looking through window at sunset

The artificial intelligence model behind the ChatGPT chatbot has performed as well as a 9-year-old on tests of theory of mind

Justin Paget/Getty Images

The artificial intelligence model behind the ChatGPT chatbot can solve tasks used to test whether people can understand different perspectives, a key sign of intelligence known as theory of mind. Its ability – which seems to have spontaneously emerged rather than being something the AI was trained to do – is comparable to that of a 9-year-old child. However, whether this shows that the AI is using theory of mind …

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 14th June 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

1

Chaotically shifting planets could be a sign of advanced aliens

2

Which countries will do well at Eurovision 2023 – according to science

3

Emergence: The mysterious concept that holds the key to consciousness

4

We now know how parasitic worms help ward off obesity and diabetes

5

Why the mind-body connection is vital to understanding consciousness

6

Mysterious sounds in stratosphere can't be traced to any known source

7

The mental tricks you can use in your lifelong pursuit of happiness

8

Lab-grown meat could be 25 times worse for the climate than beef

9

Was SpaceX's first attempt to launch its Starship rocket a failure?

10

Why symmetry is so fundamental to our understanding of the universe