Users reject site’s explanations after detailed instructions for writing response to post on popular forum was published

Mumsnet has denied using AI to produce content after detailed instructions to help an AI model write one of its popular “am I being unreasonable” (AIBU) posts appeared on a Mumsnet message board.

Users of the long-established forum, which is known for its frank discussions of family tensions, were vexed when the AI prompt appeared in response to a user seeking advice about a family dilemma involving a neurodivergent uncle and a sick child.

The user, called AmIAComplete, had asked for “a sanity check” from other users after an awkward social interaction with their brother’s family but was met with a prompt titled AIBU Response Schema v.1.0.

It instructed an AI to write an “interpersonal reasonableness” post and “give a clear, forum-style ruling plus brief actionable advice”. It included definitions of common Mumsnet abbreviations including AIBU, ND (neurodivergent) and DD (dear daughter).

The prompt said: “do not diagnose anyone; do not demean ND people; do not imply a sick child owes social performance” and said “prioritize compassion, boundaries, and de-escalation”.

Site users called the emergence of the prompt “really creepy”, “crazy” and “so disappointing” and it fed speculation about Mumsnet’s use of AI, with one user saying: “We might as well just go and do something else then.”

Mumsnet was founded in 2000. 1 million and the number of posts fell by 600,000. It said in its latest annual report that it was “embedding AI tools to improve productivity and enhance the user experience”.

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