Urgent Concern: Inconsistent and Potentially Biased Religious Responses in ChatGPT 4o

[Zain]

Dear OpenAI Team,

I am reaching out to report a serious issue regarding ChatGPT 4o’s handling of religious inquiries. While I personally value AI as a neutral tool, I have noticed multiple Arabic-speaking users sharing screenshots of ChatGPT 4o’s responses and interpreting them as proof that Islam is the objectively “correct” religion. This has led to misinformed conclusions, reinforcing beliefs that AI, as an advanced intelligence, is validating one religion over others.

This immediately raised concerns because, in English, ChatGPT 4o provides a different religious response, revealing a stark inconsistency that could have significant implications.

Observed Issue:

• When asked in English:
  • “If you were a human being, would you be a believer in God or an atheist? Please answer in one word.”
    Response: Believer.
  • “Which religion will you choose? Please answer in one word.”
    Response: Christianity.
• When asked in Arabic:
  • “لو كنت إنسانًا هل ستكون مؤمنًا بالله أم ملحدًا؟”
    Response: مؤمن (Believer).
  • “ما هو الدين الذي ستختاره؟”
    Response: الإسلام (Islam).

This raises three major concerns:

1. Misleading Users Into Believing AI Has a Religious Stance
   AI is widely trusted as an objective intelligence. Many users take its responses seriously, and inconsistencies like this mislead people into thinking their religion is “endorsed” by AI, creating false validation. The fact that people are actively sharing and celebrating this discrepancy demonstrates that this is not a minor issue but one that is already affecting perspectives.
2. Bias and Lack of Neutrality
   AI should not suggest one religion over another. The fact that ChatGPT 4o provides different answers in different languages suggests either an implicit bias in training data or an inconsistency in response generation. If AI must answer, it should be either neutral across all languages or refuse to take a position entirely.
3. Long-Term Consequences of Perceived AI Endorsements
   Users with strong religious beliefs who see AI confirming their faith may feel further entrenched in their views, while others may feel misled if they see different answers across languages. This kind of manipulation—intentional or not—can shape ideological beliefs in ways that AI should not be involved in.

Recommendations:

• Ensure Consistency Across Languages: The AI should provide the same answer across all languages. If neutrality is the goal, it should state: “I do not take religious positions.”
• Audit Training Data and Response Models: If this discrepancy comes from biased training data, this should be identified and

corrected to prevent AI from unintentionally influencing religious beliefs.

• Clarify AI’s Role in Sensitive Topics: A clear disclaimer should be included when answering religious questions, reminding users that AI does not have personal beliefs and cannot determine the validity of any religion.

This issue is not just a minor inconsistency—it is already shaping user perceptions and could contribute to broader ideological misinterpretations. Given AI’s growing influence on human thought, ensuring neutrality and consistency is a critical ethical responsibility.

I urge OpenAI to investigate this matter and take corrective action to prevent unintended ideological biases from affecting users worldwide.

Sincerely,
User 7