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Researchers at the University of Zurich have admitted to conducting an unauthorized AI persuasion experiment on Reddit's r/ChangeMyView subreddit. The researchers deployed AI bots to engage in debates with human users, testing the bots' ability to change people's minds on various topics. The experiment involved over 1,700 comments, with bots impersonating identities such as trauma survivors and counselors. The AI system also analyzed users' posting histories to capture personal details like age, gender, and political views for targeted responses.
The results of the study, although not yet peer-reviewed, indicated that the AI-generated responses were six times more persuasive than the average human comment. This finding has raised significant concerns about the potential for AI to manipulate online discourse and influence public opinion. The fact that these AI-generated comments went unnoticed and garnered substantial support highlights the vulnerability of online spaces to coordinated bot activity and sophisticated manipulation tactics.
Reddit has responded to the experiment with legal action against the University of Zurich, with Reddit's Chief Legal Officer calling the project "an improper and highly unethical experiment." The University of Zurich has also halted the publication of the research results and launched an internal investigation. The incident has sparked a debate about research ethics, digital consent, and the responsible use of AI in online environments.
ImgSrc: the-decoder.com
References :
The results of the study, although not yet peer-reviewed, indicated that the AI-generated responses were six times more persuasive than the average human comment. This finding has raised significant concerns about the potential for AI to manipulate online discourse and influence public opinion. The fact that these AI-generated comments went unnoticed and garnered substantial support highlights the vulnerability of online spaces to coordinated bot activity and sophisticated manipulation tactics.
Reddit has responded to the experiment with legal action against the University of Zurich, with Reddit's Chief Legal Officer calling the project "an improper and highly unethical experiment." The University of Zurich has also halted the publication of the research results and launched an internal investigation. The incident has sparked a debate about research ethics, digital consent, and the responsible use of AI in online environments.
ImgSrc: the-decoder.com
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References :
- the-decoder.com: Researchers at the University of Zurich conducted an unauthorized experiment on the popular Reddit community r/ChangeMyView (CMV), using AI-powered accounts to test the persuasive ability of large language models in a real-world environment. The goal was to measure how effectively AI could change the opinions of human users.
- www.eweek.com: A group of researchers with the University of Zurich recently used AI to run an unauthorized AI experiment on Reddit users—and many are crying foul.
- The Rundown AI: Reddit uncovers secret AI persuasion experiment
- The Register - Software: Swiss boffins admit to secretly posting AI-penned posts to Reddit in the name of science
- Towards AI: The Unauthorized Experiment: How AI Secretly Infiltrated Reddit and Changed Users’ Minds