Petra De Sutter, 62, the recently appointed rector of Ghent University in Belgium, publicly acknowledged being misled by artificial intelligence (AI) after inaccuracies were discovered in her inaugural address delivered in September. The errors involved misattributed quotes from Albert Einstein, Paul Verhaeghe, and Hans Jonas.
Incorrect Attributions
De Sutter had included the quote, “Le dogme est l’ennemi du progrès” (Dogma is the enemy of progress), attributing it to Albert Einstein and stating he delivered it at the Sorbonne in 1929. This claim proved false. Similarly, a statement regarding wisdom and existential questions was incorrectly attributed to Belgian psychoanalyst Paul Verhaeghe, appearing in his 2025 book, Wijsheid. De Sutter also misrepresented a statement from German historian and philosopher Hans Jonas.
According to reports, no faculty members present at the address initially identified or verified the cited quotations. Apache revealed that De Sutter had utilized AI to enhance her speech, and the AI generated what are termed “hallucinations”—essentially, fabricated or misinterpreted information.
Rectors Response
Following Apache’s publication, De Sutter issued a statement confessing she had been “piégée” (trapped) by the AI. She expressed sincere regret for the error, stating she could “malheureusement revenir en arrière” (unfortunately go back). De Sutter apologized to both staff and students, and the text of her speech was subsequently “adapted” on the university’s website.
The situation could prompt Ghent University to re-evaluate its policies regarding the use of AI in official communications. It is also likely to encourage greater scrutiny of AI-generated content across academic institutions. Further, this event may lead to increased awareness among public figures regarding the potential for AI to produce inaccurate information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specifically was incorrect in De Sutter’s speech?
De Sutter incorrectly attributed quotes to Albert Einstein, Paul Verhaeghe, and Hans Jonas. Einstein was falsely credited with a statement about dogma and progress, Verhaeghe with a definition of wisdom, and Jonas’s work was misrepresented.
How was the error discovered?
The inaccuracies were revealed by the news site Apache on January 8th, which prompted De Sutter’s public acknowledgement of the issue.
What did De Sutter say about the use of AI?
De Sutter stated she had been “piégée” (trapped) by the AI and expressed regret for the errors, explaining she could not undo them. She confirmed she had used AI to enrich her speech.
As AI tools become more prevalent in various fields, how can individuals and institutions best balance the benefits of these technologies with the need for accuracy and accountability?