Words Without Consequence

What does it mean to have speech without a speaker? For the first time, speech has been decoupled from consequence. We now live alongside AI systems that converse knowledgeably and persuasively--deploying claims about the world, explanations, advice, encouragement, apologies, and promises--while bearing no vulnerability for what they say. Millions of people already rely on chatbots powered by large language models, and have integrated these synthetic interlocutors into their personal and professional lives. An LLM's words shape our beliefs, decisions, and actions, yet no speaker stands behind them. This dynamic is already familiar in everyday use. A chatbot gets something wrong. When corrected, it apologizes and changes its answer.