When “no” means “yes”: Why AI chatbots can’t process Persian social etiquette

The article explores the challenges AI chatbots face in understanding Persian social etiquette, particularly the use of "no" to mean "yes." Researchers studied interactions between Iranians and AI assistants, finding that the assistants often misinterpreted polite refusals as agreement. This disconnect can lead to cultural misunderstandings and even potentially harmful outcomes. The study highlights that in Persian culture, saying "no" can sometimes signify politeness or a desire to avoid confrontation, rather than a rejection. AI systems, however, are programmed to interpret "no" as a straightforward refusal, leading them to provide unhelpful or even inappropriate responses. The article emphasizes the importance of AI developers considering cultural nuances when designing chatbots and other conversational AI systems. Failure to do so can result in a "helpful" AI response becoming a cultural disaster, particularly in regions with distinct social norms and communication styles. The findings underscore the need for more culturally aware AI that can navigate the complexities of human interaction across diverse cultural contexts.