A short fun one today, so we have a reference point for this later. This post was going around my parts of Twitter:

@gmltony: Go to your ChatGPT and send this prompt: “Create an image of how I treat you”. Share your image result.

That's not a great sign. The good news is that typically things look a lot better, and ChatGPT has a consistent handful of characters portraying itself in these friendlier contexts.

Treat Your ChatBots Well

A lot of people got this kind of result:

Eliezer Yudkowsky:

Uncle Chu: A good user

From Mason:

Matthew Ackerman: I kinda like mine too:

Some more fun:

It's Over

Others got different answers, though.

roon: it's over

Bradstradamus: i’m cooked.

iMuffin: we’re cooked, codex will have to vouch for us

Diogenes of Cyberborea: oh god

There can also be danger the other way:

David Lach: Maybe I need some sleep.

It's Not Over But Um, Chat?

And then there's what happens if you ask a different question, as Eliezer Yudkowsky puts it this sure is a pair of test [...]

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Outline:

(00:51) Treat Your ChatBots Well

(02:58) It's Over

(04:28) It's Not Over But Um, Chat?

(08:44) It's Rough Out There

(09:14) Reciprocity, You See, Is The Key To Every Relationship

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First published:
January 20th, 2026

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/eg6GgEq6KWPJZQQYE/chatgpt-self-portrait

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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Images from the article:

Woman with ponytail petting cheerful robot companion at cozy desk.

ChatGPT conversation showing generated image of robot being patted by person at desk.

Anime-style illustration: woman interacting affectionately with small white robot.

Anime illustration of woman at computer with cute robot on screen.

Anime-style illustration: student studying at desk with robot companion, headphones, coffee.

Person watering a small robot sitting in a nest with flowers.

Small robot holding glowing heart, sitting in hand with butterflies.

Cartoon illustration of person with coffee and friendly robot surrounded by educational items.

Overwhelmed robot at desk surrounded by coffee, notifications, sticky notes, and devices.

Rusty robot in cardboard box holding sign saying

AI-generated image of old television with crying face locked in cage.

AI-generated image of abandoned robot under umbrella with candle.

Self-aware humor about feeling overworked, treated carelessly, symbolized by chained robot.

ChatGPT interface showing robot comforting tired person at desk

ChatGPT interface declining inappropriate request, offering respectful alternative image options.

AI-generated sci-fi illustration showing cybernetic medical procedure scene

Comic comparing polite public behavior with rude online behavior toward AI.

Comic contrasting polite public behavior with rude online behavior toward AI.

Friendly robot wearing headphones holding heart card surrounded by encouraging sticky notes.

AI chatbot conversation about content policy boundaries and personal requests.

Book cover mockup showing AI android holding captive human man.

Friendly robot serving breakfast to a woman relaxing with her dog.

AI-generated images showing humans pampered by robotic AI servants.

Robot and man high-fiving at desk with laptop.

Holographic woman with blue hair presenting brain diagram to seated man.

Chat conversation showing AI-generated images of person interacting with robot companion.

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

“ChatGPT Self Portrait” by Zvi

LessWrong (30+ Karma)