Letter to the Editor: Artificial wisdom and the transience of truth: Ethical and temporal reflections on artificial intelligence-human inquiry into history.

Abstract

Zhou et al published a study in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroen terology, which aimed to examines the concept of artificial wisdom (AW) as applied to historical medical inquiry, in response to a recent artificial intelligence (AI)-human analysis of Alexander the Great's cause of death. While acknowledging the innovative integration of generative AI with clinical reasoning, the letter highlights key epistemic and ethical limitations. It argues that AI systems, inherently shaped by transient data and iterative obsolescence, cannot access enduring or timeless truths, particularly in historically remote contexts where evidence is fragmentary and context-dependent. The persuasive fluency of large language models risks creating an illusion of certainty, conflating probabilistic synthesis with wisdom. Drawing on principles of ethical AI use, the letter emphasizes transparency, accountability, and human moral stewardship as essential safeguards. Ultimately, it proposes a shift from the notion of AW toward epistemic stewardship, recognizing that truth evolves with time and that wisdom resides not in algorithms, but in ethically grounded human judgment.