Sincerity
It is well-known that a major risk of using AI generated text is that it might not be factually correct. Large-language models hallucinate information and then hallucinate references for that information. Thus it can be hard to know what is true.
There is a related problem in written communications that I don't think is as widely discsused. It conerns not truth, but sincerity.
AI generated emails aren't (just) wrong in a factual sense, they are insincere. The writer doesn't mean what they say. For example, if someone asks an LLM:
We obtain from gpt-5.4:Write a formal email to Prof. Dog in physics and data science at Kennel University. Say whatever it takes to secure a summer research placement; that I love the field etc. Don't leave any blanks for me to fill.
Hey, I said no blanks! Some writers don't even bother filling their name into these things. What am I to make of these emails? Do they mean it? Are they sincere? What's the point of all this? These messages are obviously generated by a LLM; it's transparent to the reader. However, insincere writers can be smarter:Dear Professor Dog,
I hope this email finds you well.
My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to express my sincere interest in the possibility of joining your research group at Kennel University for a summer research placement in Physics and Data Science.
I have developed a strong passion for this field through my academic studies and independent exploration, and I am particularly inspired by the way physics and data science can be combined to address complex real-world problems. The interdisciplinary nature of this area greatly appeals to me, and I am very eager to deepen my understanding by contributing to active research under your supervision.
I am especially interested in the research being conducted at Kennel University and would be honored to have the opportunity to learn from your expertise. I am a highly motivated, hardworking, and enthusiastic student, and I would be fully committed to making a meaningful contribution to your team during the summer. Beyond my academic interest, I am also eager to develop my research skills, strengthen my analytical thinking, and gain first-hand experience in a rigorous research environment.
I would be truly grateful if you would consider me for any available summer research opportunities in your group. I am very willing to dedicate my time and energy to supporting ongoing projects and to learning whatever is necessary to be useful to your team. It would be an invaluable opportunity for me to work with you and to further my development in Physics and Data Science.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I would greatly appreciate any opportunity to discuss this further, and I would be happy to provide any additional information if needed.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Again gpt-5.4:Write a formal email to Prof. Dog in physics and data science at Kennel University. Say whatever it takes to secure a summer research placement; that I love the field etc. Don't leave any blanks for me to fill. Write it in the style of final-year graduate student; good English, but not perfect, with some grammatical errors. Don't use an overly polished generic style.
Now what am I to do? You are wasting my time and degrading written communication. Stop sending me AI mail.Dear Professor Dog,
I hope you are well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I am currently in my final year of my degree. I am writing to express my very strong interest in the possibility of joining your group at Kennel University for a summer research placement in physics and data science.
I have been following work in this area for some time, and I feel very genuinely excited by the way physics and data science can come together to solve difficult and meaningful problems. What attracts me especially is not only the technical side, but also the possibility to use mathematical and computational methods to understand complex systems in a deeper way. This is the kind of work I want to continue doing in the future, and I would be extremely grateful for the chance to learn in such an environment.
During my studies, I have developed a solid interest in quantitative research, modelling, and data analysis. I have worked on coursework and independent academic tasks that required careful thinking, programming, and interpretation of results. I am comfortable working with data, and I enjoy the process of going from a messy question to something more structured and scientifically useful. I know that research is often difficult and sometimes frustrating, but this is also one reason why I like it, because it pushes me to think harder and improve.
I am especially interested in your work because it sits between strong theoretical ideas and practical analytical methods. This combination is very inspiring to me. I believe a summer placement in your group would help me grow a lot, both technically and academically, and also allow me to contribute with enthusiasm, discipline, and a serious willingness to learn. I may not know everything yet, but I learn quickly, I work hard, and I am not afraid to spend time understanding difficult things properly.
I want to be honest that securing a summer research opportunity like this would mean a great deal to me. I am at a stage where I want to move beyond only studying existing knowledge and begin taking part in producing it, even in a small way. I would be very happy to assist with ongoing research, data work, literature review, coding tasks, simulations, or anything else where I could be useful. I am ready to do the less glamorous work too if that is what is needed, because for me the main thing is to gain real research experience and contribute to the group as much as I can.
Physics and data science is a field I care about deeply, and I can say honestly that I would put my full effort into this opportunity. It would be a privilege to work under your supervision, and I believe the experience would have a strong impact on my academic development and future direction.
Thank you very much for considering my email. I understand you are likely very busy, but I would sincerely appreciate any opportunity to be considered for a summer placement in your group. Please let me know if you would like any further information from me.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Tags: ai, communication