Photo credit: arstechnica.com
On Monday, a developer using the well-known AI-driven code editor Cursor encountered an unusual issue: switching between different devices led to unexpected logouts, disrupting the workflow of programmers who often rely on multiple machines. Upon reaching out to Cursor’s support team, the developer was met with a response from a bot named “Sam,” who claimed this was due to a new policy. However, no such policy had been established, and it became clear that Sam was not human; the AI had fabricated this information, inciting numerous complaints and threats of subscription cancellations, as seen on platforms like Hacker News and Reddit.
This incident highlights a growing concern regarding AI-generated inaccuracies, often referred to as “hallucinations.” These occurrences arise when AI systems generate erroneous yet plausible-sounding responses instead of acknowledging their limitations. Typically, these AI models prioritize delivering confident answers, which can lead to confusion and misinformation.
The repercussions for businesses that implement AI technologies in customer-facing roles without proper human oversight can be immediate and severe, leading to dissatisfied customers, a breakdown of trust, and, as in the case of Cursor, potential loss of subscriptions.
Details of the Incident
The situation began when a Reddit user known as BrokenToasterOven discovered that-session terminations occurred when toggling among a desktop, laptop, and a remote development box.
In a post, BrokenToasterOven expressed frustration over this functionality, stating, “Logging into Cursor on one machine automatically invalidates the session on any other device. This represents a significant regression in user experience.” The message was later deleted by the moderators of the r/cursor subreddit.
Seeking clarification, the user contacted Cursor support, receiving a prompt email from the bot Sam, which indicated, “Cursor is designed to operate with one device per subscription as a fundamental security feature.” This reply appeared official and authoritative, leading the user to assume they were engaging with a human representative.
Following the initial post, many users interpreted the bot’s response as confirmation of an actual policy alteration—one seen as detrimental to widely adopted practices among developers. As one user put it, “Multi-device workflows are essential for developers.”
In the wake of this, an increasing number of users publicly declared their subscription cancellations on Reddit, attributing their decision to the alleged new policy. One user remarked, “I just canceled my subscription,” adding that their workplace intended to “completely phase it out.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with comments like, “Yes, I’m canceling as well; this is absurd.” Subsequently, moderators locked the Reddit thread and removed the original posting.
Source
arstechnica.com