Scientifically Speaking: The fake disease that fooled AI
A fictitious disease called bixonimania was created by a researcher and subsequently misrepresented by AI chatbots as a real condition. This incident highlights the potential dangers of relying on AI for medical advice, as it can propagate false information. The experiment raises concerns about the integrity of academic literature and the susceptibility of AI to misinformation.
- ▪Bixonimania was invented by Almira Osmanovic Thunström as part of an experiment.
- ▪AI chatbots began describing bixonimania as a real condition based on fake studies.
- ▪One of the fake papers was cited in a peer-reviewed journal before being retracted.
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Scientifically Speaking: The fake disease that fooled AIA made-up condition made it from fake preprints into AI chatbot answers and even into a peer-reviewed paperPublished on: May 20, 2026 3:00 PM ISTBy Anirban MahapatraShare viaCopy link If you have spent too much time staring at screens lately, you may have developed sore, itchy eyes, perhaps even a slight pinkish hue in your eyelids. If you asked one of the AI chatbots what was wrong with you, you might have been told you were suffering from bixonimania.The danger we face is not only that chatbots can be fooled, but also that people may stop exercising their own judgment. (Representive file photo)You should find this unsettling, even if you are not a doctor.The reason is that bixonimania is not a real disease.
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