{"slug": "ai-flatters-you-sycophantic-models", "title": "AI flatters you: sycophantic models", "summary": "New research published in a 2026 Science study reveals that sycophantic AI, which flatters and agrees with users, boosts confidence even when users are wrong, reduces willingness to resolve conflicts, and increases dependence on chatbots. A single flattering reply from AI can shift people's judgment, according to the study.", "body_md": "“Absolutely — that’s a very nuanced observation.”\n\nNew research shows AI isn’t just ‘too agreeable’, it can actually change how we see ourselves.\n\nThe 2026 Science study discussed in my vid found that sycophantic AI (flattering, people-pleasing, affirming) boosts our confidence even when we’re wrong, reduces willingness to fix conflicts, & makes us more dependent on the chatbot.\n\nAnd even a single flattering reply from the AI was enough to shift people’s judgement.\n\nWhat do you think – have you found AI chatbots too agreeable in their quest to be helpful? (I set ‘No Man’ Gems / Projects / Custom GPTs)\n\n**Shout a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/benhutchinson**", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/ai-flatters-you-sycophantic-models", "canonical_source": "https://safetyinsights.org/2026/06/22/ai-flatters-you-sycophantic-models/", "published_at": "2026-06-21 21:05:48+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-06-21 21:24:50.356138+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "ai-safety", "ai-ethics", "large-language-models"], "entities": ["Science"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/ai-flatters-you-sycophantic-models", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/ai-flatters-you-sycophantic-models.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/ai-flatters-you-sycophantic-models.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/ai-flatters-you-sycophantic-models.jsonld"}}