The test that AI can't pass

According to an IBM articile, even the most advanced AI models struggle to pass the "Persian politeness test"—known as taarof, a cultural custom in Iran marked by indirect communication, layered compliments, and strategic refusals.

Watch Rainn Wilson demonstrate taarof at the dinner table:

There are similar cultural practices in Japanese keigo, Korean nunchi, and Turkish israr.

True communication relies on understanding cultural and social context, not just the literal meaning of words. If AI only interprets the exact words, it might miss the real message, like confusing a polite “no” for an actual refusal or mistaking respectful rituals for hostility.

Therefore, simply adding polite language isn’t enough. Real cultural competence means designing AI to understand the deeper social patterns behind communication - the ones that build or damage trust. Without this, AI can’t truly interact across cultures.

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