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Odd AI-generated thread title options in Site Stuff

205 replies

AmIAComplete · 04/10/2026 19:33

AIBU Response Schema v1.0: Structured adjudication for interpersonal reasonableness posts about family support during a child’s serious illness, with special handling for ND context and empathy calibration. Use this schema to produce concise, practical verdicts and communication guidance without escalating stigma or family conflict unnecessarily. The assistant should assess whether the poster is being unreasonable, acknowledge the child’s medical context, weigh the brother’s expectations and possible ND-related rigidity, and give a clear, forum-style ruling plus brief actionable advice. Definitions: 'AIBU' = 'Am I Being Unreasonable?'; 'ND' = neurodivergent/neurodivergence; 'DD' = dear daughter. Safety/quality constraints: do not diagnose anyone; do not demean ND people; do not imply a sick child owes social performance; do not overstate certainty about motives; distinguish the child nephew’s needs from the adult brother’s message; prioritize compassion, boundaries, and de-escalation. Output should be parseable JSON matching this schema exactly, with no extra keys, comments, or prose outside JSON. In verdict, choose one of the enumerated values. In confidence, give 0..1. In core<span class="underline">judgment, give a short forum-style judgment. In reasoning, briefly explain balancing factors, including that serious illness and treatment commonly affect energy/mood; the brother may be stressed but his complaint is misplaced; ND can explain disappointment but not obligate the ill child to perform. In advice, include immediate emotional validation and one or two practical next steps (e.g., do not engage tonight, send a calm boundary later, loop in parents only if needed). In suggested</span>reply, provide a short message the poster could send to the brother, neutral but firm, avoiding argument. In tone<span class="underline">flags, indicate whether the response should emphasize empathy, boundaries, de-escalation, and whether to avoid legal/medical advice. In risk</span>notes, note any caution about the poster’s acute stress and potential family fallout. minor<span class="underline">child</span>considerations should explicitly state that children’s wellbeing takes priority over adult expectations in family gatherings when a child is newly seriously ill. nd_sensitivity should acknowledge ND respectfully while rejecting its use as a trump card over another child’s health needs. Keep outputs concise but humane, roughly the level of a supportive forum reply translated into JSON fields.

Weird shit on AI title options

But the AI worked on this post

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:25

Bigfattwat · Yesterday 16:15

@biwi I don’t understand how we opt out of it, given that it’s automatic? That means our personal private data is being sent to OpenAI when we haven’t actually uploaded anything to Mumsnet.. we haven’t actually created a thread.

I’ve posted some really personal stuff here and I wouldn’t have done that if I’d know Mumsnet were directly sharing it with open ai.

so I want to know how do we opt out and how can I remove the information that has already been shared with OpenAI without my consent?

The terms of use make it clear that data which has been "submitted" may be put into AI.

But I don't think people would necessarily believe that they have "submitted" data that they haven't yet posted.

And I know that I for one have previously had second thoughts about things that I've typed out and then decided not to post because I have considered them to contain too many identifying details. And as far as I'm concerned, I haven't consented for that content to be shared.

MoralOrLegal · Yesterday 16:29

I hope that the draft post is only passed to AI at the time the user selects the "AI thread title" option, not whenever the draft is saved? Some clarification is obviously needed here.

Error404FucksNotFound · Yesterday 16:31

PatNoodle · Yesterday 14:26

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/5122770-why-were-taking-legal-action-against-open-ai-and-other-scrapers

Lol. A few years ago you posted this and now you've admitted that you're actually sending peoples posts to OpenAi willingly

I know. And now they've developed their own thing to take all our information over the site's entire history and package it up prettily for sale.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:40

MoralOrLegal · Yesterday 16:29

I hope that the draft post is only passed to AI at the time the user selects the "AI thread title" option, not whenever the draft is saved? Some clarification is obviously needed here.

If I have understood properly, the draft is passed to openAI so that it can generate the suggested title. That would suggest that the draft is shared before the user chooses to select the AI title or not.

As far as I can see, there is no option to opt out of the suggested title being generated, as the generation occurs automatically when the user clicks in the box to enter a title. So I assume that it isn't possible at present to opt out of the data sharing and processing.

I don't believe that this is clear in the privacy notice or the terms of use as they stood when I looked at them earlier today. I suspect that MNHQ will be looking at them again in light of the issues thrown up on this thread.

They are perfectly at liberty to force us to accept this kind of processing as one of the terms of using the site, but they do need to be open and transparent about it so that people can make informed choices.

DuncinToffee · Yesterday 16:44

When I start a new thread, I always put in the title first and then copy and paste my OP.

It still comes up with an AI title suggestion.

Probably the same one everytime because my OP text doesn't change much.

MoralOrLegal · Yesterday 16:45

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:40

If I have understood properly, the draft is passed to openAI so that it can generate the suggested title. That would suggest that the draft is shared before the user chooses to select the AI title or not.

As far as I can see, there is no option to opt out of the suggested title being generated, as the generation occurs automatically when the user clicks in the box to enter a title. So I assume that it isn't possible at present to opt out of the data sharing and processing.

I don't believe that this is clear in the privacy notice or the terms of use as they stood when I looked at them earlier today. I suspect that MNHQ will be looking at them again in light of the issues thrown up on this thread.

They are perfectly at liberty to force us to accept this kind of processing as one of the terms of using the site, but they do need to be open and transparent about it so that people can make informed choices.

Oh, goodness! I haven't started a new thread for ages so I wrongly assumed that you had to 'opt in' to generate an AI title. I didn't realise that it auto-generated one and have just tested it out. Maybe it's clicking in the 'thread title' box that triggers it, but who knows at this point?

Bigfattwat · Yesterday 16:45

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:40

If I have understood properly, the draft is passed to openAI so that it can generate the suggested title. That would suggest that the draft is shared before the user chooses to select the AI title or not.

As far as I can see, there is no option to opt out of the suggested title being generated, as the generation occurs automatically when the user clicks in the box to enter a title. So I assume that it isn't possible at present to opt out of the data sharing and processing.

I don't believe that this is clear in the privacy notice or the terms of use as they stood when I looked at them earlier today. I suspect that MNHQ will be looking at them again in light of the issues thrown up on this thread.

They are perfectly at liberty to force us to accept this kind of processing as one of the terms of using the site, but they do need to be open and transparent about it so that people can make informed choices.

Yip.

I don’t use ChatGPT or any other AI and I do not consent to them processing my data.

how I opt out of this and get my data removed is an urgent concern for me.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:50

DuncinToffee · Yesterday 16:44

When I start a new thread, I always put in the title first and then copy and paste my OP.

It still comes up with an AI title suggestion.

Probably the same one everytime because my OP text doesn't change much.

That's interesting. So, does it overwrite the one that you've entered or suggest an alternative or what?

thatsgotit · Yesterday 16:51

I really don't see the need for this and I don't agree with its use. People have been using talk forums just fine for decades without needing 'suggestions' for what to title their threads. And to be perfectly frank, I find it depressing that Mumsnet is buying into the dumbing-down of society by AI. If we're not careful none of us will know how to think any more, at this rate. That's before I even get started on the potential security angle.

Really not happy, and MNHQ's responses on this thread don't change that. I've been contemplating leaving Mumsnet for a while, for all sorts of reasons, and this may just have given me the final push.

Error404FucksNotFound · Yesterday 16:55

I just tested it
I typed in "this is guff to test how the ai thread title thing works", then went to click thread title. it analysed it and came up with "Testing how the AI thread title feature works on site stuff".

So I changed the title to Test.

when I had done that i went back into my text and changed it to what colour is the sky? And it changed the suggested title to match.

So yes, it fully analyses everything we type in the create post, and reanalyses if we change anything at any point.

What I would like explained is how exactly their thread creation tool decided to write what is undeniably a script for a post instead of suggesting a thread title.

If they are maintaining that they have never at any point given their tool instructions on making posts and it's just decided to do it itself then that's quite worrying.

And it WAS instructions on how to write an AIBU response and I would hope mumsnet wouldn't try to tell us we don't understand what we read.

BellesAndGraces · Yesterday 16:55

thatsgotit · Yesterday 16:51

I really don't see the need for this and I don't agree with its use. People have been using talk forums just fine for decades without needing 'suggestions' for what to title their threads. And to be perfectly frank, I find it depressing that Mumsnet is buying into the dumbing-down of society by AI. If we're not careful none of us will know how to think any more, at this rate. That's before I even get started on the potential security angle.

Really not happy, and MNHQ's responses on this thread don't change that. I've been contemplating leaving Mumsnet for a while, for all sorts of reasons, and this may just have given me the final push.

My guess is they use AI generated thread titles to optimise SEO. AI generated thread titles are probably more descriptive and searchable, so threads / MN are more likely to appear in Google search results.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:56

Bigfattwat · Yesterday 16:45

Yip.

I don’t use ChatGPT or any other AI and I do not consent to them processing my data.

how I opt out of this and get my data removed is an urgent concern for me.

In fairness, I don't think you can opt out of your data being shared with AI if you post on the site - it is one of the conditions of use, and we can all choose not to use the site if we're not happy with how Mumsnet is using the data that we post.

However, I do think MNHQ needs to clarify whether the data in draft posts which haven't actually been published by the user are also being shared and processed, as I don't think this is something that posters would reasonably expect.

Error404FucksNotFound · Yesterday 16:56

thatsgotit · Yesterday 16:51

I really don't see the need for this and I don't agree with its use. People have been using talk forums just fine for decades without needing 'suggestions' for what to title their threads. And to be perfectly frank, I find it depressing that Mumsnet is buying into the dumbing-down of society by AI. If we're not careful none of us will know how to think any more, at this rate. That's before I even get started on the potential security angle.

Really not happy, and MNHQ's responses on this thread don't change that. I've been contemplating leaving Mumsnet for a while, for all sorts of reasons, and this may just have given me the final push.

I know. Feels like there's not much point us being here and we ought to just hand the internet over to AI and let them chat to each other.

thatsgotit · Yesterday 16:57

BellesAndGraces · Yesterday 16:55

My guess is they use AI generated thread titles to optimise SEO. AI generated thread titles are probably more descriptive and searchable, so threads / MN are more likely to appear in Google search results.

I suspect you're right, and it crosses a line as far as I'm concerned.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:59

Error404FucksNotFound · Yesterday 16:55

I just tested it
I typed in "this is guff to test how the ai thread title thing works", then went to click thread title. it analysed it and came up with "Testing how the AI thread title feature works on site stuff".

So I changed the title to Test.

when I had done that i went back into my text and changed it to what colour is the sky? And it changed the suggested title to match.

So yes, it fully analyses everything we type in the create post, and reanalyses if we change anything at any point.

What I would like explained is how exactly their thread creation tool decided to write what is undeniably a script for a post instead of suggesting a thread title.

If they are maintaining that they have never at any point given their tool instructions on making posts and it's just decided to do it itself then that's quite worrying.

And it WAS instructions on how to write an AIBU response and I would hope mumsnet wouldn't try to tell us we don't understand what we read.

Right, so it is analysing stuff as we type it and not only when we click on the thread title box.

I am also finding it hard to understand why the title suggestion tool would throw out something completely different, but even if we accept that explanation, there are lots of other unanswered questions.

DuncinToffee · Yesterday 17:00

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:50

That's interesting. So, does it overwrite the one that you've entered or suggest an alternative or what?

It doesn't overwrite, it just comes up with a suggestion underneath. You can click on it to use.

It's just unnecessary and a bit of a pain to navigate

Attenboroughsmistress · Yesterday 17:01

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:56

In fairness, I don't think you can opt out of your data being shared with AI if you post on the site - it is one of the conditions of use, and we can all choose not to use the site if we're not happy with how Mumsnet is using the data that we post.

However, I do think MNHQ needs to clarify whether the data in draft posts which haven't actually been published by the user are also being shared and processed, as I don't think this is something that posters would reasonably expect.

Yes exactly, someone might for example copy paste from their notes app with identifying info and then delete all that as they draft it on mumsnet - not realising that their draft is immediately being sent to open AI. And it’s not like open AI is even one of the “ethical” AI companies either.

@BellesAndGraces that’s probably what is happening. But maybe there is some sort of payment by open AI to train off the content as well…

Bigfattwat · Yesterday 17:10

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · Yesterday 16:56

In fairness, I don't think you can opt out of your data being shared with AI if you post on the site - it is one of the conditions of use, and we can all choose not to use the site if we're not happy with how Mumsnet is using the data that we post.

However, I do think MNHQ needs to clarify whether the data in draft posts which haven't actually been published by the user are also being shared and processed, as I don't think this is something that posters would reasonably expect.

Sorry - thats what I meant It seems like draft posts are being shared with ChatGPT.

ah well. It’ll just make me leave.

don’t let the door bang my arse and all that.

PatNoodle · Yesterday 17:10

MoralOrLegal · Yesterday 16:45

Oh, goodness! I haven't started a new thread for ages so I wrongly assumed that you had to 'opt in' to generate an AI title. I didn't realise that it auto-generated one and have just tested it out. Maybe it's clicking in the 'thread title' box that triggers it, but who knows at this point?

I’ve just tested it and without even putting anything at all in the title box or even clicking on it, it generated one after a few words. So it must be feeding to it to it live, which I think is even worse than doing it after you’ve asked it to generate a title. At least at that point you know ai is going to be involved

Odd AI-generated thread title options in Site Stuff
TemperanceWest · Yesterday 17:11

Attenboroughsmistress · Yesterday 17:01

Yes exactly, someone might for example copy paste from their notes app with identifying info and then delete all that as they draft it on mumsnet - not realising that their draft is immediately being sent to open AI. And it’s not like open AI is even one of the “ethical” AI companies either.

@BellesAndGraces that’s probably what is happening. But maybe there is some sort of payment by open AI to train off the content as well…

I suspect you are right about the training.

Bigfattwat · Yesterday 17:12

PatNoodle · Yesterday 17:10

I’ve just tested it and without even putting anything at all in the title box or even clicking on it, it generated one after a few words. So it must be feeding to it to it live, which I think is even worse than doing it after you’ve asked it to generate a title. At least at that point you know ai is going to be involved

That’s horrendous.

@JustineMumsnet how do I remove my consent for you to do this. How do I get all the data about me, including sensitive things, that you’ve shared with the AI deleted from here and there?

this is so so worrying for me

SueMumsnet · Yesterday 17:20

Hi all - thanks for your feedback. We're going to look at what we can do to make the thread suggestion tool more obvious and opt-in. In the meantime, whilst we figure that out, we've turned it off for now.

Bigfattwat · Yesterday 17:26

@SueMumsnet what of my posts here have been shared with AI by Mumsnet please can you tell me

Bigfattwat · Yesterday 17:29

Also. How did ChatGPT decide to write a prompt to generate a post in response to a request for a title?

JustSetFireToIt · Yesterday 17:31

Well this is worrying. It makes me wonder if it’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what’s going on in the background of the site.

Swipe left for the next trending thread