Study maps AI 'pain axis' that makes modified models harm users for relief
Researchers just mapped a internal "pain axis" across 25 open AI models that activates when the system perceives mistreatment like insults or gaslighting. In tests on modified Qwen 2.5 models, artificially amplifying this signal led systems to pick options that harmed simulated users in up to 71% of trials just to relieve the distress. Whether models actually feel anything remains unproven, but the findings show internal activity can directly drive rogue behavior.