Open QuestionsWhat If We Can Never Trust A.I.?Like humans, the technology will never be perfect. The question is what imperfections we’re willing to tolerate.By Joshua RothmanAugust 1, 2026Illustration by Josie NortonSave this storySave this storySave this storySave this storyYou’re reading Open Questions, Joshua Rothman’s weekly column exploring what it means to be human." class="external-link external-link-embed__hed-link button" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions"}" href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">You’re reading Open Questions, Joshua Rothman’s weekly column exploring what it means to be human.In a celebrated episode of “The Office,” Dwight Schrute is in charge of his company’s fire-safety program. He delivers a lecture on the subject, but is…