The Turing Test Project invites members of the Columbia University community to explore this question through an interactive online experience that blends technology, storytelling, and mental health awareness.
What the Project Is About
The project adapts the classic Turing Test into a new form of digital storytelling. Participants read two short narratives about mental health—one written by a person with lived experience and one generated by an AI language model (such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini)—and then guess which is which.
This simple act opens space for reflection on:
- How human experience is expressed in words
- What empathy looks like in a digital age
- How AI mimics (and fails to mimic) the texture of lived reality
It’s part game, part reflection, and part experiment in understanding what it means to be human.
The project aims to:
- Elevate voices of people with lived experience of mental health within the Columbia community
- Challenge stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health
- Spark conversation across disciplines—from computer science to social work, from philosophy to public health
- Lay groundwork for future research on how AI can ethically represent, teach, and learn from human stories
Join the Conversation
The Turing Test Project is a collaborative initiative bringing together students, faculty, staff, and researchers across Columbia University.
Whether you’re curious about AI, passionate about mental health, or just want to test your intuition—we invite you to participate, reflect, and share your voice. Reach out to us at [email protected].
