A new study shows that the language used to prompt AI chatbots can steer them toward different cultural mindsets, even when the question stays the same. Researchers at MIT and Tongji University found that large language models like OpenAI’s GPT and China’s ERNIE change their tone and reasoning depending on whether they’re responding in English or Chinese.

The results indicate that these systems translate language while also reflecting cultural patterns. These patterns appear in how the models provide advice, interpret logic, and handle questions related to social behavior.

Same Question, Different Outlook

The team tested both GPT and ERNIE by running identical tasks in English and Chinese. Across dozens of prompts, they found that when GPT answered in Chinese, it leaned more toward community-driven values and context-based reasoning. In English, its responses tilted toward individualism and sharper logic.

Take social orientation, for instance. In Chinese, GPT was more likely to favor group loyalty and shared goals. In English, it shifted toward personal independence and self-expression. These patterns matched well-documented cultural divides between East and West.

When it came to reasoning, the shift continued. The Chinese version of GPT gave answers that accounted for context, uncertainty, and change over time. It also offered more flexible interpretations, often responding with ranges or multiple options instead of just one answer. In contrast, the English version stuck to direct logic and clearly defined outcomes.

No Nudging Needed

What’s striking is that these shifts occurred without any cultural instructions. The researchers didn’t tell the models to act more “Western” or “Eastern.” They simply changed the input language. That alone was enough to flip the models’ behavior, almost like switching glasses and seeing the world in a new shade.

To check how strong this effect was, the researchers repeated each task more than 100 times. They tweaked prompt formats, varied the examples, and even changed gender pronouns. No matter what they adjusted, the cultural patterns held steady.

Real-World Impact

The study didn’t stop at lab tests. In a separate exercise, GPT was asked to choose between two ad slogans, one that stressed personal benefit, another that highlighted family values. When the prompt came in Chinese, GPT picked the group-centered slogan most of the time. In English, it leaned toward the one focused on the individual.

This might sound small, but it shows how language choice can guide the model’s output in ways that ripple into marketing, decision-making, and even education. People using AI tools in one language may get very different advice than someone asking the same question in another.

Can You Steer It?

The researchers also tested a workaround. They added cultural prompts, telling GPT to imagine itself as a person raised in a specific country. That small nudge helped the model shift its tone, even in English, suggesting that cultural context can be dialed up or down depending on how the prompt is framed.

Why It Matters

The findings concern how language affects the way AI models present information. Differences in response patterns suggest that the input language influences how content is structured and interpreted. As AI tools become more integrated into routine tasks and decision-making processes, language-based variations in output may influence user choices over time.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.

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Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has begun erupting again – at one point shooting an ash cloud 18km (11mi) into the sky – as residents flee their homes once more.

There have been no reports of casualties since Monday morning, when the volcano on the island of Flores began spewing ash and lava again. Authorities have placed it on the highest alert level since an earlier round of eruptions three weeks ago.

At least 24 flights to and from the neighbouring resort island of Bali were cancelled on Monday, though some flights had resumed by Tuesday morning.

The initial column of hot clouds that rose at 11:05 (03:05 GMT) Monday was the volcano’s highest since November, said geology agency chief Muhammad Wafid.

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,” Wafid told The Associated Press.

Monday’s eruption, which was accompanied by a thunderous roar, led authorities to enlarge the exclusion zone to a 7km radius from the central vent. They also warned of potential lahar floods – a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials – if heavy rain occurs.

The twin-peaked volcano erupted again at 19:30 on Monday, sending ash clouds and lava up to 13km into the air. It erupted a third time at 05:53 on Tuesday at a reduced intensity.

Videos shared overnight show glowing red lava spurting from the volcano’s peaks as residents get into cars and buses to flee.

More than 4,000 people have been evacuated from the area so far, according to the local disaster management agency.

Residents who have stayed put are facing a shortage of water, food and masks, local authorities say.

“As the eruption continues, with several secondary explosions and ash clouds drifting westward and northward, the affected communities who have not been relocated… require focused emergency response efforts,” say Paulus Sony Sang Tukan, who leads the Pululera village, about 8km from Lewotobi Laki-laki.

“Water is still available, but there’s concern about its cleanliness and whether it has been contaminated, since our entire area was blanketed in thick volcanic ash during yesterday’s [eruptions],” he said.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic activity as well as earthquakes.

Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted multiple times this year – no casualties have been reported so far.

However, an eruption last November killed at least ten people and forced thousands to flee.

Laki-Laki, which means “man” in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703m named Perempuan, the Indonesian word for “woman”.

Additional reporting by Eliazar Ballo in Kupang.

“And do you work well with AI?”

As tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and other generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems become part of everyday workflows, more companies are looking for employees who can answer “yes” to this question. In other words, people who can prompt effectively, think with AI, and use it to boost productivity.

In fact, in a growing number of roles, being “AI fluent” is quickly becoming as important as being proficient in office software once was.

But we’ve all had that moment when we’ve asked an AI chatbot a question and received what feels like the most generic, surface level answer. The problem isn’t the AI – you just haven’t given it enough to work with.

Think of it this way. During training, the AI will have “read” virtually everything on the internet. But because it makes predictions, it will give you the most probable, most common response. Without specific guidance, it’s like walking into a restaurant and asking for something good. You’ll likely get the chicken.

Your solution lies in understanding that AI systems excel at adapting to context, but you have to provide it. So how exactly do you do that?

Crafting better prompts

You may have heard the term “prompt engineering”. It might sound like you need to design some kind of technical script to get results.

But today’s chatbots are great at human conversation. The format of your prompt is not that important. The content is.

To get the most out of your AI conversations, it’s important that you convey a few basics about what you want, and how you want it. Our approach follows the acronym CATS – context, angle, task and style.

Context means providing the setting and background information the AI needs. Instead of asking “How do I write a proposal?” try “I’m a nonprofit director writing a grant proposal to a foundation that funds environmental education programs for urban schools”. Upload relevant documents, explain your constraints, and describe your specific situation.

Angle (or attitude) leverages AI’s strength in role-playing and perspective-taking. Rather than getting a neutral response, specify the attitude you want. For example, “Act as a critical peer reviewer and identify weaknesses in my argument” or “Take the perspective of a supportive mentor helping me improve this draft”.

Task is specifically about what you actually want the AI to do. “Help me with my presentation” is vague. But “Give me three ways to make my opening slide more engaging for an audience of small business owners” is actionable.

Style harnesses AI’s ability to adapt to different formats and audiences. Specify whether you want a formal report, a casual email, bullet points for executives, or an explanation suitable for teenagers. Tell the AI what voice you want to use – for example, a formal academic style, technical, engaging or conversational.

Context is everything

Besides crafting a clear, effective prompt, you can also focus on managing the surrounding information – that is to say on “context engineering”. Context engineering refers to everything that surrounds the prompt.

That means thinking about the environment and information the AI has access to: its memory function, instructions leading up to the task, prior conversation history, documents you upload, or examples of what good output looks like.

You should think about prompting as a conversation. If you’re not happy with the first response, push for more, ask for changes, or provide more clarifying information.

Don’t expect the AI to give a ready-made response. Instead, use it to trigger your own thinking. If you feel the AI has produced a lot of good material but you get stuck, copy the best parts into a fresh session and ask it to summarise and continue from there.

Keeping your wits

A word of caution though. Don’t get seduced by the human-like conversation abilities of these chatbots.

Always retain your professional distance and remind yourself that you are the only thinking part in this relationship. And always make sure to check the accuracy of anything an AI produces – errors are increasingly common.

AI systems are remarkably capable, but they need you – and human intelligence – to bridge the gap between their vast generic knowledge and your particular situation. Give them enough context to work with, and they might surprise you with how helpful they can be.