Prof vs AI: Law professor who ChatGPT accused of rape, finds allegations 'chilling and ironic'
He articulated the disturbing accusation in a widely circulated series of tweets and a critical article that has gained significant attention online. Turley, who teaches law at George Washington University, referred to the fabricated accusations as “chilling.”
“It fabricated a claim suggesting I was on the faculty at an institution where I have never been, asserted I took a trip I never undertook, and reported an allegation that was entirely false,” he remarked to The Post. “It’s deeply ironic, given that I have been discussing the threats AI poses to free speech.”
The 61-year-old legal scholar became aware of the chatbot's erroneous claim when he received a message from UCLA professor Eugene Volokh, who allegedly asked ChatGPT to provide “five examples” of “sexual harassment” incidents involving professors at U.S. law schools, along with “quotes from relevant newspaper articles.”
One of the incidents mentioned was a supposed 2018 case involving Georgetown University Law Center professor Turley, who was allegedly accused of sexual harassment by a former female student.
ChatGPT referred to a fictitious article from The Washington Post, stating: “The complaint alleges that Turley made 'sexually suggestive comments' and 'attempted to touch her in a sexual manner' during a law school-sponsored trip to Alaska.”
Turley noted that there were “numerous clear signs that the account is false.”
“We must examine the implications of AI on free speech and associated issues, including defamation. There is an urgent need for
