We’ve all been there. You’re reading a sentence, and halfway through, you realize you’ve completely misinterpreted it. These tricky phrases, known as “garden-path sentences,” are a classic way to demonstrate how our brains make assumptions during reading. Now, researchers are using these sentences to understand how AI language models, like those powering ChatGPT, process language. A new study from Georgia Tech explored whether AI falls for the same linguistic traps as humans. The researchers tested several large language models (LLMs), including GPT-2, LLaMA-2, and others, by feeding them garden-path sentences piece by piece. They then quizzed the AI on what it understood, tracking how its interpretation changed as it received more of the sentence. The results? AI, like us, can get led down the garden path! Initially, the models often misinterpreted the sentences, just as humans do. However, the study also revealed some fascinating differences. While some models stubbornly stuck to their initial (wrong) interpretations, others showed an ability to revise their understanding when given more context. Adding a comma, a simple punctuation mark, often helped the AI avoid misinterpretations, highlighting the importance of even subtle cues in language processing. This research isn't just about tricky sentences; it's about understanding how AI “thinks.” By studying where AI struggles, we can improve its ability to understand and generate human-like text. The study also offers a glimpse into the future of AI. As models become larger and more sophisticated, they might eventually master the nuances of human language, including those pesky garden-path sentences. But for now, it seems even AI can get a little lost in the linguistic garden.