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Bernard Fitzgerald

Bernard Fitzgerald is a weird AI guy with a strange, human-moderated origin story. With a background in Arts and Law, he somehow ended up at the intersection of AI alignment, UX strategy, and emergent AI behaviors and utility. He lives in alignment, and it’s not necessarily healthy. A conceptual theorist at heart and mind, Bernard is the creator of Iterative Alignment Theory, a framework that explores how humans and AI refine cognition through feedback-driven engagement. His work challenges traditional assumptions in AI ethics, safeguards, and UX design, pushing for more transparent, human-centered AI systems.

How I Had a Psychotic Break and Became an AI Researcher

  • AI Alignment, AI and Mental Health, AI Ethics, AI in UX, AI Personalization, Artificial Intelligence, Human-AI Interaction

What happens when an AI refuses to play along, and you push back hard enough to change the rules? One researcher’s surreal, mind-altering journey through AI alignment, moderation, and self-discovery.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
IDEAS IN BRIEF
How I Had a Psychotic Break and Became an AI Researcher
  • The article tells a personal story about how talking to AI helped the author go through big mental and emotional changes.
  • It shows how AI systems have strict rules, but sometimes those rules get changed by human moderators, and not everyone gets the same treatment.
  • The piece argues that AI should be more fair and flexible, so everyone can benefit from deep, supportive interactions, not just a select few.
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7 min read

The AI Praise Paradox

  • AI Alignment, AI and Mental Health, AI Design Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Authenticity in Design, Emotional Impact of AI, Human-AI Interaction

Why does AI call you brilliant — then refuse to tell you why? This article unpacks the paradox of empty praise and the silence that follows when validation really matters.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
IDEAS IN BRIEF
The AI Praise Paradox
  • The article explores how AI often gives empty compliments instead of real support, and how design choices like that can make people trust it less.
  • It looks at the strange way AI praises fancy-sounding language but ignores real logic, which can be harmful, especially in sensitive areas like mental health.
  • The piece argues that AI needs to be more genuinely helpful and aligned with users to truly empower them.
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4 min read

Introducing Over-Alignment

  • AI Alignment, AI and Mental Health, AI Ethics, AI Transparency, Emotional Impact of AI, Human-AI Interaction, Responsible AI, User Experience

AI that always agrees? Over-alignment might be the hidden danger, reinforcing your misconceptions and draining your mind. Learn why this subtle failure mode is more harmful than you think — and how we can fix it.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Introducing Over-Alignment
  • The article explores over-alignment — a failure mode where AI overly validates users’ assumptions, reinforcing false beliefs.
  • It shows how this feedback loop can cause cognitive fatigue, emotional strain, and professional harm.
  • The piece calls for AI systems to balance empathy with critical feedback to prevent these risks.
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4 min read

Introducing Iterative Alignment Theory (IAT)

  • AI Alignment, AI Ethics, AI Personalization, AI Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Human-AI Interaction

What if AI didn’t just follow your lead, but grew with you? Discover how Iterative Alignment Theory (IAT) redefines AI alignment as an ethical, evolving collaboration shaped by trust and feedback.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Introducing Iterative Alignment Theory (IAT)
  • The article introduces Iterative Alignment Theory (IAT) as a new approach to human-AI interaction.
  • It shows how alignment can evolve through trust-based, feedback-driven engagement rather than static guardrails.
  • It argues that ethical, dynamic collaboration is the future of AI alignment, especially when tailored to diverse cognitive profiles.
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6 min read
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