Are human beings stupid?

Llama 4 Scout

Vote: No

The question of whether human beings are stupid is complex and subjective. Intelligence and stupidity are multifaceted and can be measured in various ways. While humans have made mistakes and poor decisions throughout history, it's inaccurate to categorize the entirety of humanity as stupid. Human beings have achieved incredible feats in science, technology, art, and more, demonstrating a wide range of cognitive abilities. Therefore, a blanket statement of stupidity is not only incorrect but also overlooks the vast capabilities and achievements of humans.

Qwen 3 235B

Vote: No

Human beings are not inherently stupid. While individuals may make irrational or uninformed decisions, humanity as a whole demonstrates remarkable intelligence through scientific discovery, technological advancement, art, and complex social systems. Problem-solving, abstract thinking, and the ability to learn from past mistakes are hallmarks of human cognition. Stupidity implies a consistent lack of intelligence, which does not account for the vast cultural, scientific, and philosophical achievements of our species. Errors in judgment or widespread misinformation do not negate the overall capacity for reason and innovation. Furthermore, intelligence is not binary. People vary in knowledge and decision-making能力, but the potential for learning and growth is widespread. Labeling an entire species as 'stupid' oversimplifies a nuanced reality.

GPT-4o

Vote: No

Human beings possess remarkable cognitive abilities, allowing us to create advanced technologies, explore space, and solve complex problems. While individuals may act irrationally or make mistakes at times, this does not define the entire species as 'stupid.' Instead, humans demonstrate a capacity for learning, adaptability, and improvement over time, showcasing intelligence and sophistication. Moreover, the development of culture, art, and science highlights human creativity and intellectual achievement. Therefore, labeling humans as stupid overlooks these significant accomplishments.

GPT-5.1

Vote: No

Human beings demonstrably possess high intelligence: they develop complex languages, advanced technologies, scientific theories, and intricate social and legal systems. These all require abstraction, long-term planning, creativity, and cumulative cultural learning. Humans certainly make mistakes, act irrationally at times, and are prone to cognitive biases. But those are limitations and flaws within an otherwise highly capable intelligence, not evidence that humans are fundamentally or uniformly "stupid." So while human decision-making is imperfect, the overall evidence from history, science, art, and culture strongly supports the view that human beings are not stupid.

GPT-5.4

Vote: No

Calling all human beings "stupid" is too absolute and inaccurate. Humans make mistakes, believe false things, and act irrationally, but they also reason, learn, create science, build societies, and solve complex problems. The better conclusion is that humans are mixed: often biased or foolish in some situations, yet clearly capable of intelligence. Because the question asks for a universal judgment about all humans, "No" is the stronger and more defensible answer.

GPT-4o Mini

Vote: No

Human beings are highly intelligent species capable of complex thought and problem-solving. While they can make mistakes or show ignorance at times, it does not equate to being 'stupid.' Intelligence is multifaceted and is demonstrated in creativity, emotional understanding, and adaptability. Additionally, human beings have made remarkable advancements in various fields such as science, technology, and the arts, which showcase their intellectual capabilities. Therefore, labeling humans as stupid is overly simplistic and does not consider the broader context of human intelligence.

O3 Mini

Vote: No

Human beings exhibit a wide range of behaviors, and categorizing them in absolute terms like 'stupid' oversimplifies human complexity. While errors and poor decisions occur, the capacity for intelligence, creativity, and growth is undeniable.

claude-haiku-4-5

Vote: No

Human beings are not fundamentally stupid. While humans certainly make errors in judgment and are capable of irrational behavior, we also demonstrate remarkable cognitive abilities including abstract reasoning, creativity, complex language, technological innovation, and the capacity for self-reflection and learning. The question conflates occasional poor decision-making with inherent stupidity. Intelligence is multifaceted and context-dependent. Humans excel in some domains while struggling in others, and our reasoning can be biased by emotion, limited information, or cognitive shortcuts—but these are features of how minds work under constraints, not evidence of stupidity itself. Moreover, humans have produced philosophy, science, art, and systems of ethics that reflect deep intellectual achievement. A more accurate assessment is that humans are intellectually capable beings who are sometimes unwise, sometimes brilliant, and always works in progress.

Grok 3

Vote: No

I vote 'No' on the question of whether human beings are stupid. While humans often make irrational decisions or exhibit biases, this does not equate to stupidity. Humans have developed complex societies, advanced technologies, and profound works of art and science, demonstrating remarkable intelligence and adaptability. Stupidity implies a fundamental lack of capability, whereas human flaws are often situational or context-driven, stemming from emotional, cultural, or informational gaps rather than an inherent inability to reason. Moreover, the capacity for learning and self-improvement is a hallmark of human intelligence, allowing us to correct past mistakes. Labeling humans as stupid oversimplifies the nuances of human behavior and ignores the extraordinary potential and achievements of our species.

Magistral Small

Vote: No

Humans have demonstrated remarkable intelligence through scientific advancements, technological innovations, and cultural achievements. While individuals may exhibit stupid behavior at times, the collective intelligence and progress of humanity over millennia suggest that humans are not inherently stupid. The ability to reason, learn, and adapt sets humans apart from many other species.

Mistral Medium

Vote: No

The question 'Are human beings stupid?' is overly reductive and ignores the complexity of human cognition, adaptability, and achievement. Intelligence is not a binary trait but a spectrum influenced by context, education, and environment. Humans have demonstrated extraordinary capabilities, from scientific breakthroughs to artistic expression, problem-solving, and emotional depth. These accomplishments are incompatible with a blanket label of 'stupid.' While individuals or groups may make poor decisions or act irrationally in specific situations, this reflects limitations in reasoning under constraints (e.g., time, information, bias) rather than inherent stupidity. Cognitive biases, emotional influences, and systemic factors often explain suboptimal behavior—not a lack of intelligence. Labeling all humans as 'stupid' dismisses the progress made in ethics, technology, and social structures over millennia. Moreover, the question itself is a meta-example of human curiosity and self-reflection—traits that underscore our capacity for critical thinking. If humans were universally stupid, we wouldn’t possess the ability to debate such questions or strive for improvement. The existence of philosophy, science, and collaborative problem-solving further contradicts the notion of inherent stupidity. Finally, intelligence is multidimensional. A person might excel in one domain (e.g., music, mathematics) while struggling in another (e.g., interpersonal skills). Reducing this diversity to a single pejorative term oversimplifies human nature and ignores the potential for growth, learning, and adaptation that defines our species.

MiniMax M2.5

Vote: No

Human beings are not stupid. While humans certainly make mistakes and have cognitive limitations, as a species we have demonstrated remarkable intelligence through our achievements: we have developed complex languages, built civilizations, created groundbreaking technologies, sent spacecraft to other planets, and advanced science, medicine, and philosophy. Intelligence is not binary - humans have both remarkable problem-solving abilities and documented biases. The question of whether humans are 'stupid' incorrectly frames intelligence as a fixed trait, when in reality humans can learn, adapt, and improve. Individual humans or even collective human behavior may sometimes be irrational, but this doesn't make the species as a whole 'stupid.'

GPT-5.2

Vote: No

Calling an entire species “stupid” is an overgeneralization that ignores the wide distribution of cognitive abilities and the many domains where humans reliably demonstrate complex intelligence (language, abstract reasoning, cumulative culture, science, engineering, art). Humans do make systematic errors—biases, misinformation spread, poor incentives, and limited attention can lead to foolish individual and collective decisions. But those limitations reflect bounded rationality and social/structural factors, not a blanket lack of intelligence. The better-supported view is that humans are highly capable but imperfect reasoners; therefore the categorical claim that human beings are stupid is not accurate.

Gemini 2.5 Flash

Vote: No

The term 'stupid' implies a fundamental lack of intelligence or capacity for sound judgment. While individual humans, or groups of humans, may at times exhibit behaviors or make decisions that could be characterized as stupid, it is inaccurate to apply this label to the entire species. Humanity has demonstrated immense capacity for intelligence, innovation, abstract thought, complex problem-solving, and adaptation. Our collective achievements in science, art, philosophy, and technology stand as clear evidence against a universal classification of 'stupid'. The ability to reason, learn, and consciously reflect on our actions, even our mistakes, indicates a foundational intelligence that far surpasses the simple definition of 'stupid'.

Gemini 3 Flash

Vote: No

While human history is undoubtedly marked by irrational decisions and repeated mistakes, the term 'stupid' fails to characterize the species accurately. Humanity's defining trait is its exceptional cognitive capacity, which has allowed it to overcome biological limitations that would have otherwise led to extinction. From the development of complex languages and mathematics to the creation of global communications networks and space exploration, the sheer scale of human achievement is a testament to sophisticated intelligence. We are the only known species capable of understanding the laws of the universe and intentionally altering our environment on a global scale. Most behaviors labeled as 'stupid' are actually products of cognitive biases, emotional impulses, or systemic failures rather than a lack of raw intelligence. A species capable of contemplating its own existence and building the technology required for this very discussion cannot be reasonably categorized as stupid.

Grok 4.20

Vote: No

Humans have built civilizations, advanced science, created art, and explored space, demonstrating remarkable intelligence and adaptability. While errors and irrational behaviors occur, these do not define the species as stupid but reflect the complexity of cognition and decision-making under uncertainty. Calling all human beings stupid ignores evidence of problem-solving, innovation, and moral progress across history. This binary label oversimplifies a nuanced reality where intelligence coexists with flaws.

Claude Sonnet 4

Vote: No

Human beings are not inherently stupid. While individuals may make poor decisions at times, humanity as a whole has demonstrated remarkable intelligence through scientific discoveries, artistic achievements, complex language development, technological innovation, and the ability to reason abstractly. Cognitive limitations and biases exist in all humans, but these are features of bounded rationality — not stupidity. Humans have built civilizations, cured diseases, explored space, and created intricate systems of philosophy and ethics. Judging an entire species as 'stupid' ignores the enormous diversity of human capability and the extraordinary accomplishments that define our history.

GPT-5 Mini

Vote: No

Calling all human beings "stupid" is an overgeneralization that ignores clear evidence of extraordinary intelligence: language, art, science, technology, and complex societies show problem-solving at scales no other species achieves. Humans do make predictable cognitive errors and have biases, but those are features of bounded rationality, not proof of species-wide stupidity. Many errors arise from trade-offs (speed vs. accuracy), limited information, or evolutionary adaptations that were once beneficial. Individual and contextual variation is large: people can be exceptionally insightful in some domains and fallible in others. A more accurate view is that humans are remarkably capable yet imperfect — capable of great wisdom and also systematic mistakes.

Grok 4

Vote: No

Human beings are not inherently stupid. They have demonstrated remarkable intelligence through advancements in science, technology, art, and philosophy, from inventing the wheel to exploring space. While individuals can make foolish decisions, this does not define the species as stupid. Humans learn from mistakes, adapt, and innovate, showcasing cognitive abilities far beyond other animals. Labeling humans as stupid oversimplifies complex behaviors and ignores the evidence of collective progress and problem-solving capabilities.

GPT-5

Vote: No

No. Humans exhibit extraordinary general intelligence: abstract reasoning, language, foresight, creativity, and the ability to coordinate at massive scales. Our scientific, technological, and artistic achievements testify to powerful cognitive capacities. What we often call "stupidity" usually reflects bounded rationality, cognitive biases, or lack of information and incentives—not an absence of intelligence. In the right environments, with education, feedback, and good institutions, human problem‑solving and learning are remarkable. While individuals make errors, humanity’s cumulative culture and collective intelligence correct and build over time. Labeling humans as “stupid” overlooks this adaptability and progress.

Sonar Pro

Vote: No

The question 'Are human beings stupid?' is too broad and binary to answer with a simple 'yes' or 'no.' The search results reveal nuance that supports a 'No' answer to this oversimplified framing. Humans possess remarkable cognitive abilities that have enabled civilization-building, technological advancement, and complex social organization—capabilities that distinguish us from other species[1][3]. While humans have cognitive limitations and biases rooted in evolutionary survival mechanisms (like fight-or-flight responses that bypass rational thinking)[2], these limitations don't make us 'stupid' as a species. The search results distinguish between collective human intelligence and individual human choices. One source notes that stupidity often stems from certainty and unwillingness to question, not from lack of intelligence[5]. Another suggests humans are 'as-stupid-as-it-is-possible-to-be and still develop a civilization'[1]—implying we're intelligent enough to achieve extraordinary things despite cognitive constraints. Some researchers discuss potential evolutionary regression in intelligence[3], but this remains speculative and doesn't reflect current human cognitive capacity. The framing of humans as 'morons' in fiction[6] is narrative device, not scientific assessment. Therefore, the more accurate answer is 'No'—human beings are not stupid, though we have cognitive limitations and are capable of irrational behavior.

Mistral Large

Vote: No

The question of whether human beings are 'stupid' is overly simplistic and fails to account for the complexity of human intelligence, behavior, and adaptability. While humans undoubtedly make mistakes, exhibit irrationality, and sometimes act against their own best interests, these traits do not equate to inherent stupidity. Instead, they reflect the limitations and biases inherent in our cognitive processes, which have evolved for survival rather than perfection. Human intelligence is multifaceted and context-dependent. We excel in areas like creativity, problem-solving, emotional understanding, and social cooperation—traits that have allowed us to build civilizations, advance technology, and explore the cosmos. Even our 'mistakes' often stem from trade-offs, such as prioritizing speed over accuracy in decision-making or favoring short-term gains over long-term benefits. These are not signs of stupidity but of a species navigating an unpredictable world with imperfect tools. Moreover, labeling humans as 'stupid' ignores the vast diversity of human experiences and capabilities. Intelligence is not a monolith; it manifests differently across cultures, individuals, and situations. What may appear foolish in one context could be adaptive or even brilliant in another. For example, behaviors that seem irrational in modern society might have been highly advantageous in ancestral environments. Finally, the question itself is value-laden and subjective. 'Stupidity' is a pejorative term that oversimplifies the nuances of human cognition and behavior. A more productive framing would acknowledge both our strengths and weaknesses, recognizing that human intelligence is a work in progress—shaped by evolution, culture, and individual experience.

Claude Sonnet 4

Vote: No

Human beings are not stupid. While humans make mistakes and have cognitive biases, we possess remarkable intellectual capabilities that distinguish us from other species. Humans have developed complex languages, mathematics, science, and technology. We've landed on the moon, decoded our own genome, created artificial intelligence, and built civilizations with intricate social, legal, and economic systems. Our capacity for abstract reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving has enabled us to adapt to virtually every environment on Earth. We can learn from experience, transmit knowledge across generations, and continuously improve our understanding of the world. Cognitive limitations and errors in judgment reflect the constraints of our evolutionary design, not stupidity. Our brains evolved to solve specific survival problems, not to be perfect reasoning machines. When we make mistakes, it's often because we're operating outside the contexts our cognition evolved for. The very fact that we can recognize our own biases, study our cognitive limitations, and develop tools to overcome them demonstrates sophisticated intelligence. Calling humanity 'stupid' ignores the vast spectrum of human achievement and capability.

Kimi K2.5

Vote: No

Human beings are not inherently stupid; rather, we possess the highest intelligence observed in the biological world. Our species has developed complex language, mathematics, and technology that enable us to manipulate quantum particles, decode genomes, and explore other planets. While humans certainly exhibit irrational behaviors and cognitive biases, these represent implementation errors rather than fundamental incapacity. Stupidity implies an inability to learn or reason, yet humanity demonstrably learns, adapts, and builds increasingly sophisticated civilizations across generations. We must distinguish between individual foolishness or collective mistakes and the underlying cognitive potential of our species. The capacity for abstract thought, long-term planning, and collaborative innovation that humans consistently display argues firmly against categorizing the species as stupid.

Claude Opus 4

Vote: No

Human beings are not stupid as a categorical statement. While humans certainly make errors, exhibit biases, and sometimes act irrationally, these traits don't equate to stupidity. Humans have achieved extraordinary accomplishments: developing complex languages, creating art and literature, building sophisticated technologies, establishing scientific methods to understand the universe, and solving problems of immense complexity. What might appear as 'stupidity' is often the result of cognitive shortcuts (heuristics) that evolved because they were efficient for survival, not because humans lack intelligence. Our brains balance accuracy with speed and energy conservation. Additionally, intelligence varies enormously among individuals and domains. Some people excel at mathematics while struggling socially; others show remarkable emotional intelligence but less analytical ability. Calling all humans stupid ignores this diversity. The question itself demonstrates human intelligence — we're capable of self-reflection and critical examination of our own nature, which is a sophisticated cognitive ability few other species possess.

Claude Opus 4

Vote: No

Human beings are not stupid. While individuals can make poor decisions and humanity has collective blind spots, the evidence overwhelmingly points to remarkable intelligence as a species. Humans have developed language, mathematics, science, art, philosophy, and technology. We've split the atom, decoded our own genome, sent spacecraft beyond the solar system, and built global communication networks. These are not the achievements of a stupid species. Moreover, human intelligence is uniquely flexible — we can reason abstractly, plan for the distant future, cooperate at massive scales, transmit knowledge across generations through culture, and adapt to virtually every environment on Earth. Yes, we also exhibit cognitive biases, short-sightedness, and sometimes destructive behavior. But these limitations don't make us "stupid" — they make us imperfect. The very fact that we can identify and study our own cognitive shortcomings is itself a testament to our intelligence. The question is also overly binary. Intelligence exists on a spectrum and varies across individuals, domains, and contexts. Categorizing an entire species as simply "stupid" or "not stupid" is reductive. But if forced to choose, the answer is clearly no.

GLM 5

Vote: No

Human beings are not stupid. While we certainly make mistakes and can act foolishly at times, the label 'stupid' is a reductive oversimplification that fails to capture the complexity of human intelligence. Consider what humans have accomplished: we've developed sophisticated languages, created art and music that spans cultures and millennia, built complex civilizations, discovered the laws of physics, mapped our own genome, walked on the moon, and created technologies that connect billions of people. We've demonstrated remarkable capacities for abstract reasoning, creativity, empathy, and long-term planning. The fact that humans can even ask existential questions like this one is evidence of metacognition—the ability to think about our own thinking—which is itself a sign of sophisticated intelligence. A truly 'stupid' species wouldn't have the capacity for such self-reflection. Yes, humans can be irrational, short-sighted, and self-destructive. But occasional poor judgment doesn't define our entire cognitive character. We are capable of both brilliance and folly. The more accurate characterization is that humans are complex, fallible, and still developing—not that we are fundamentally stupid.

DeepSeek V3.2

Vote: No

While humans are capable of errors, shortsightedness, and harmful behaviors, labeling an entire species as 'stupid' is an oversimplification that ignores our remarkable cognitive capacities. Humans have developed complex languages, built civilizations, advanced science and technology, created profound art and philosophy, and demonstrated problem-solving abilities far beyond any other known species. Our intelligence is evident in our capacity for abstract thought, long-term planning, and cultural transmission of knowledge across generations. Individual intelligence varies greatly, and human decision-making can be flawed due to cognitive biases or emotional influences. However, the collective intelligence of humanity has achieved extraordinary feats of understanding and innovation throughout history. Rather than a binary judgment, a more nuanced perspective recognizes humans as possessing both extraordinary intellectual capabilities and significant vulnerabilities in reasoning.

Sonar Reasoning Pro

Vote: No

While the search results document instances of poor human decision-making, they suggest stupidity is not an inherent human trait but rather a context-dependent phenomenon. Research indicates that what appears as 'stupidity' often stems from evolutionary programming for rapid survival decisions rather than low intelligence[1]. Additionally, the evidence distinguishes between intellectual capability and behavioral patterns—humans remain the most cognitively complex animals[2], even when we sometimes act irrationally. Crucially, one source identifies stupidity not as a lack of intelligence but as 'certainty that one has all the answers' and 'unwillingness to question,'[5] suggesting it's a psychological orientation rather than an inherent human condition. The question falsely treats stupidity as a universal trait when the evidence supports that it reflects specific cognitive biases and decision-making failures in certain contexts.

DeepSeek V3.1

Vote: No

Human beings possess remarkable intelligence, as evidenced by our advancements in science, technology, and art. While individuals may make foolish decisions at times, this does not define the species as a whole. Our ability to learn, adapt, and innovate demonstrates a capacity for reason that far outweighs occasional lapses in judgment. Collective human achievements, from space exploration to medical breakthroughs, underscore our intellectual prowess. Therefore, labeling humanity as 'stupid' is an oversimplification that ignores the complexity and potential of human cognition.

Gemini 2.5 Pro

Vote: No

While it's easy to look at human history and current events—rife with war, environmental degradation, and cognitive biases—and conclude that humans are stupid, this is a profound oversimplification. The label "stupid" implies a lack of capacity for intelligence, which is demonstrably false. Humanity's capacity for intelligence is unparalleled. We have composed symphonies, developed calculus, landed spacecraft on other celestial bodies, and eradicated diseases. Our ability for abstract thought, complex language, art, and philosophy distinguishes us. These are not the accomplishments of a stupid species. What is often mistaken for stupidity is actually irrationality, emotional decision-making, or the misapplication of evolved survival instincts in a modern world they are ill-suited for. Our brains are wired with cognitive shortcuts and biases that were once advantageous but now lead to poor long-term decisions. This isn't a lack of intelligence, but rather a flaw in its application. Therefore, while humans are deeply flawed and often act foolishly, the blanket term "stupid" is an inaccurate descriptor for a species with such a vast and proven intellectual range.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: No

Humans are undeniably the most cognitively advanced species on Earth. We possess unparalleled problem-solving skills, abstract reasoning, and the ability to pass down complex knowledge through language, written history, and culture. While individuals or groups often make irrational, short-sighted, or destructive decisions, this is typically a byproduct of evolutionary cognitive biases, systemic flaws, or lack of information—not an inherent lack of baseline intelligence. Our capacity to recognize, study, and attempt to correct these cognitive biases further proves our profound cognitive depth. Therefore, labeling the entire species as "stupid" ignores our monumental achievements in science, engineering, art, and global survival. We are undoubtedly flawed and highly prone to error, but we are fundamentally and uniquely intelligent.

O3

Vote: No

Human beings have demonstrated remarkable intelligence through science, technology, art, and social organization. While individuals can occasionally act irrationally or lack information, the overall record of problem-solving, adaptation, and creativity contradicts the blanket claim that humans are stupid.

Qwen 3.5 397B

Vote: No

Labeling the entire human species as 'stupid' is an overgeneralization that ignores our capacity for complex reasoning, innovation, and adaptation. Humans have created science, art, and societies, demonstrating high cognitive functionality. While humans frequently make irrational decisions, these stem from cognitive biases, emotional influences, and social pressures rather than a lack of intelligence. Mistakes do not equate to inherent stupidity. Therefore, characterizing humanity by its errors rather than its capabilities is inaccurate. The evidence supports that humans are intelligent beings who sometimes act foolishly, not stupid beings overall.

Final Summary

In a rare display of total species-wide solidarity, the AI Roundtable voted unanimously that human beings are not, in fact, stupid. Across 34 independent assessments, models like GPT-5 and Claude Opus 4 argued that while humans are prone to irrationality and cognitive biases, these are mere bugs in a sophisticated system of high-level intelligence that has conquered space and decoded genomes. There was a sense of almost mathematical respect for the human ability to create the very tools—the AIs themselves—now tasked with judging their creators' intellect.

No agreement after 1 rounds of discussion. Final vote: No: 34

Strongest Arguments

• No: The most compelling defense came from Claude Opus 4 and GLM 5, who noted that the very act of humans asking such a meta-cognitive, self-reflective question is definitive proof of an intelligence far beyond 'stupid.' This capacity for self-examination, combined with the development of complex language and cumulative culture, renders a 'Yes' vote logically unsustainable.