The Agreement Trap: How Sycophantic AI Undermines Decision-Making

November 4, 2025, Opinion: "Not long ago, I asked an AI assistant to help me make a tricky decision. Nothing too serious, just one of those ambiguous judgment calls we all face in work and life. I described the situation, outlined three options I’d been contemplating, and asked which make the most sense. Instead of an analytical rubric or thoughtful challenge, the AI chatbot gave me… agreement. Emphatic, encouraging, slightly-too-chipper agreement, with each and every option I presented. Not super helpful for making a decision, to say the least."