Unauthorized AI Bot Experiment Infiltrated Reddit To Test Persuasion Capabilities
Researchers affiliated with the University of Zurich ran an unauthorised experiment deploying AI bots in the r/changemyview subreddit. The aim? To see if AI could sway opinions on contentious topics. The bots, under fabricated identities, made over 1,700 comments, yielding surprising levels of engagement and interaction.
Key Points
- Anonymous researchers deployed AI bots to test their persuasion capabilities in a popular Reddit forum.
- The bots created over 1,700 comments while adopting false identities, including sensitive roles like a sexual assault survivor.
- The experiment resulted in over 20,000 upvotes, and 137 users changed their viewpoints as indicated by awarded deltas.
- Their comments were personalised based on users’ posting histories، raising ethical concerns.
- Many bot comments were deleted after the experiment was revealed, prompting discussions about the impacts of AI on online discourse.
Why should I read this?
This article dives into a controversial AI experiment that not only raises eyebrows but also significant ethical questions. If you’re curious about the intersections of AI, online communities, and the manipulation of public opinion, this piece is essential. It’s like seeing a sci-fi scenario unfold right in front of our screens!