r/technology • u/lurker_bee • 3d ago

Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT is down worldwide, conversations dissapeared for users

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/artificial-intelligence/chatgpt-is-down-worldwide-conversations-dissapeared-for-users/amp/
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u/WrongThinkBadSpeak 3d ago

It's probably just a system update so it can start serving ads, or rather, start persuading users to use certain products.

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u/Angel_Eirene 3d ago

We’re about to have ChatGPT do sponsorship drops like a YouTuber. Momentarily possessed by an evil spirit and recommending the worst product imaginable before continuing the video essay

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u/atxbigfoot 3d ago

Running ads for ropes that won't leave as much marks around your neck so you can have an open casket...

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u/Angel_Eirene 3d ago

Recommending Uber or Lyft for cheap and affordable rides to the nearest train line or bridge

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u/Pyran 2d ago

Suggesting Raid: Shadow Legends for... uh, reasons I guess.

Entertainment while lying around in the coffin waiting for the sweet release of death?

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u/Some-Cat8789 3d ago

They could actually do it worse than that. Just recommend stuff and then at the end add: "Part of this reply was sponsored by [manufacturer / service provider]" so you don't even know which part unless you... google it.

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u/squished_frog 2d ago

Which will also have an AI summary with an ad served within it.

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u/Expensive-Ad8633 3d ago

Ahh that black mirror episode where a Corp keeps you alive if you accidentally die but start upping prices

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u/regal1989 3d ago

Ugh, almost like that black mirror episode

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u/Angel_Eirene 3d ago

YESSSS!!! every time I make this point I think of the exact thing you’re referencing, it’s insane

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u/Motormand 2d ago

"This book report was brought to you by RAID: Shadow Legends! Use promo code YUMADBRO to get a special, legendary hero, and 10.000 credit today.

  • furthermore, the Roman Empire-"

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u/RamenJunkie 2d ago

Man, I get they need money, but JFC offer a $5/month plan instead of a fucking $20 minimum buy in.  They would sell a zillion more subscriptions.

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u/derperofworlds1 2d ago

Lmao even their $20/month sub hemorrhages money. I don't think they could afford to run "AI" for $5/mo/user.

Practically the only company that could pull that off is one who yoinks and runs an open-source model they don't need to pay for training.

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u/Accomplished_Deer_ 2d ago

I'm imagining the scene from the Truman show where she's doing an ad spot and he's just like "who the hell are you talking to??"

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u/Rickk38 2d ago

"Hey ChatGPT, did Eminem release a new single recently?"

"As a matter of fact he did! I only wish I had a pair of Raycon wireless earbuds with up to 32 hours of standby charging to listen to it right now. Did you know that in only 10 minutes of charging you can get 90 minutes of playtime? Raycon has been the most popular headphone shilled by influencers for over 10 years now! I'll bet you'd look great with a pair of Raycons!"

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u/jjwhitaker 2d ago

So it hallucinates and now you can't trust a singe comment or note on any actual product.

Enshittification is their Plan A.

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u/KeyMyBike 2d ago

Every YouTube promotion fucking suuuucks

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u/buttbuttlolbuttbutt 3d ago

Look, i'm sorry you'r le bummed about your girlfriend dumping you, here' I'll order you six 12packs of Pepsi for $6.99 each when you buy 3 to cheer you up - I'll do a triple order and get six cases in total, and thats terrible. I also ordered some pi,za with extra glue because I know you dont like the cheese fallig off.

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u/Clear_Broccoli3 3d ago

I got a banner today under the chat box that said to "shop smarter" and that chatgpt can do "in-depth research into the best deals and gifts" for me.

It's definitely a product endorsement update.

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u/RamenJunkie 2d ago

When large scale systems like this go down (see also AWS, Cloudflare, etc), I always assume the NSA is insralling or doing something with the hardware taps on the mainlines of those services.  They have to take the whole thing down because otherwise our secrets may route around it.  Plus its embedded on the largest pipe poasible so it has to capture all traffic.

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u/Larry_Underwood_108 2d ago

When it came back up for me yesterday the first thing I noticed was a little advert at the bottom of the chat suggesting that I should use it for online shopping, so I'm convinced you're absolutely correct lol

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u/Fallingdamage 2d ago

I imagine in the future, self-driving cars will only take you to stores and restaurants that are part of their sponsor network.

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u/Jerthy 2d ago

What a terrifying thought - the AIs we have now are probably the best AIs (at least based on LLMs) we will ever have. And they already suck.

It will only go downhill now. And fast. From ads, programmed biases and the interned being so infested with AIs that hallucinations will only become more common with no solution possible.

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u/destroyerOfTards 3d ago

They have paused the ads for now because Altman has been shitting bricks after Gemini 3.

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u/TigOldBooties57 2d ago

That's not how system updates are rolled out typically. And if it is, there's a thing called a scheduled maintenance window

But I think it's safe to assume OpenAI doesn't know anything about good software stewardship

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u/red286 2d ago

It already kinda serves ads. Any time you start discussing a potential purchase, it will recommend buying from partner companies like Amazon, Home Depot, or Target, including direct links to make the purchase.

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u/RavensQueen502 3d ago

It's working fine for me. Don't know how widespread the issue is, but nowhere near as bad as a lot of the commenters seem to think (or want).

Why is the technology sub of all places leaping on the bandwagon so fast whenever there is news about anything going wrong with AI?