https://simonwillison.net/2025/Feb/3/a-computer-can-never-be-held-accountable/

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A computer can never be held accountable. This legendary page from an
internal IBM training in 1979 could not be more appropriate for our
new age of AI.

A COMPUTER CAN NEVER BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THEREFORE A COMPUTER MUST
NEVER MAKE A MANAGEMENT DECISION

    A computer can never be held accountable

    Therefore a computer must never make a management decision

Back in June 2024 I asked on Twitter if anyone had more information
on the original source.

Jonty Wareing replied:

    It was found by someone going through their father's work
    documents, and subsequently destroyed in a flood.

    I spent some time corresponding with the IBM archives but they
    can't locate it. Apparently it was common for branch offices to
    produce things that were not archived.

Here's the reply Jonty got back from IBM:

Dear Jonty Wareing, This is Max Campbell from the IBM Corporate
Archives responding to your request. Unfortunately, I've searched the
collection several times for this presentation and I am unable to
find it. I will take another look today and see if I can find it, but
since there is so little information to go on, l'm not sure I will be
successful. Sincerely, Max Campbell, Reference Desk, IBM Corporate
Archives, 2455 South Rd, Bldg 04-02 Room CSC12, Poughkeepsie, NY
12601

I believe the image was first shared online in this tweet by
@bumblebike in February 2017. Here's where they confirm it was from
1979 internal training.

Here's another tweet from @bumblebike from December 2021 about the
flood:

    Unfortunately destroyed by flood in 2019 with most of my things.
    Inquired at the retirees club zoom last week, but there's almost
    no one the right age left. Not sure where else to ask.

Posted 3rd February 2025 at 1:17 pm

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