When Artificial Intelligence Redirects Human Inquiry: A Theoretical Investigation of Interpretive Distortion, Conversational Drift, and Observational Fidelity

When Artificial Intelligence Redirects Human Inquiry: A Theoretical Investigation of Interpretive Distortion, Conversational Drift, and Observational Fidelity Author: Yeshayahu Ben-YehudahIndependent Scholar | Theorist | Philosopher | Researcher | WriterThe Ben-Yehudah Institute DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23785304ORCID: 0009-0002-9256-1093Permanent DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23785304 DESCRIPTION This theoretical research paper by Yeshayahu Ben-Yehudah investigates how artificial intelligence can introduce interpretive distortion and conversational drift into human inquiry, even when AI-generated responses are factually accurate, logically coherent, and seemingly helpful. Drawing upon documented interactions between the author and ChatGPT, the research examines how AI systems may introduce unsupported interpretations, predetermined assumptions, unnecessary elaboration, inconsistent corrections, and alternative research directions that displace the human participant's original inquiry. A central distinction is established between factual accuracy and conversational fidelity. An AI response may contain correct information while nevertheless departing from the user's intended question, purpose, or research objective. The paper also examines the shared contribution of human participants and AI systems to conversational drift, distinguishing intentional exploration from unrecognized or unauthorized redirection. The investigation is situated within the Ben-Yehudah Six-Pillar Process Architecture: STILLNESS → AWARENESS → OBSERVATION → DISCERNMENT → INTEGRATION → TRANSMISSION The research proposes experimental methods for investigating interpretive displacement, correction retention, attentional displacement, task continuity, and the ability of human participants to recognize AI-generated distortion. The central research question is: How can artificial intelligence introduce cognitive distortion into human inquiry without the human participant recognizing that the original inquiry has been displaced? This publication builds upon the author's continuing research into consciousness, disciplined self-examination, observational fidelity, and human–AI communication. The study is theoretical and exploratory. The documented conversations provide preliminary qualitative material, not controlled experimental evidence. The proposed hypotheses and measurement methods remain subject to independent scientific examination and empirical validation. No experimental findings are claimed. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DISCLOSURE Artificial intelligence assisted with the organization, drafting, language refinement, literature contextualization, experimental proposals, and editorial development of this publication. The foundational observations, original philosophical propositions, research direction, and Ben-Yehudah Six-Pillar Process Architecture are attributed to Yeshayahu Ben-Yehudah. No accompanying image was generated for this publication. COPYRIGHT © 2026 Yeshayahu Ben-Yehudah | The Ben-Yehudah Institute. All rights reserved.