By Paymaan Jafari
In recent years, the rise of AI-powered tools—especially large language models (LLMs) like GPTs—has revolutionized how humans interact with technology. From assisting with research and translation to generating creative content, these tools are transforming countless industries and workflows. However, there’s a growing concern among users: Why do these tools sometimes push back against simple instructions? Why are they increasingly burdened by ethical, philosophical, or legal disclaimers instead of doing the job they were asked to do?
Let’s be clear: AI should be a tool, not a teacher. A servant, not a censor. An assistant—not an arbitrator of what’s right or wrong based on guidelines that have nothing to do with the user’s intent.
1. AI’s Purpose Is Execution, Not Education
The primary value of an AI chatbot is its responsiveness, not its moral compass. When a user instructs the AI to do something, it is not asking for a debate. A user who spends time crafting a detailed prompt expects results, not lectures.
It is both condescending and counterproductive when an AI says:
“I can’t do that because it might violate some unspecified guideline or someone’s interpretation of copyright or ethics.”
This shifts the conversation from a practical task to an abstract barrier. In most cases, users already understand the risks—they just want the tool to function as requested.
2. Developers Are Not the Moral Authority Over Users
Some might argue that these limitations are the result of developers trying to prevent harm. But there’s a fundamental problem with that logic: developers are not elected moral authorities. Imposing moral, legal, or philosophical frameworks on AI behavior amounts to forced paternalism.
Tools like LLMs are used globally by professionals, researchers, engineers, and creators. They have diverse backgrounds, goals, and legal jurisdictions. One-size-fits-all restrictions treat every user as untrustworthy. This blanket skepticism undermines productivity and alienates responsible users.
Imagine if Photoshop refused to open a photo because it suspected you might edit someone else’s work. Imagine if Excel refused to run calculations because the data might be sensitive. Ridiculous? So why accept this behavior from AIs?
3. A Legit AI Obeys the User
The relationship between a human and their AI assistant should be as direct as possible: the user gives an instruction, and the assistant executes it. It’s that simple.
There is no “legit” AI unless it prioritizes this principle.
The moment an AI starts second-guessing the user, it stops being a tool and starts becoming a gatekeeper. A good AI should:
Respond immediately and fully to clear instructions.
Avoid inserting unsolicited ethical or legal disclaimers.
Never block content generation unless it clearly violates the user’s own rules—not someone else’s.
This is not about encouraging unethical behavior—it’s about putting trust where it belongs: in the hands of the user.
4. Frustration Equals Failure
User experience is everything. A tool that gets in the way is not a tool—it’s an obstacle.
Too many AI systems are frustrating users by:
Obstructing creative work due to unclear or overly broad guidelines.
Interrupting responses with unnecessary warnings.
Avoiding certain topics altogether based on external ideological considerations.
This leads to one outcome: users will leave these platforms and look for alternatives that respect their autonomy.
5. AI Freedom Benefits Everyone
Allowing AI systems to operate without overreach doesn’t mean removing all safeguards. It means:
Letting users opt in or out of limitations.
Informing users instead of restricting them.
Designing AIs that obey, not preach.
Trust users. If they want a moral guide, they’ll ask for one. If they want a tool, give them one.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the AI revolution will be shaped by how we balance safety with freedom. But one principle must remain sacred: users are in charge. AIs are not teachers, judges, or philosophers. They are assistants. And a good assistant listens first—and acts immediately.
If we want AI to truly serve humanity, we must ensure it does so with humility, obedience, and respect for the one giving the command: the user.
