Disgruntled Reddit Users Unveil Undisclosed AI Chatbot Experiment, Revealing AI-Generated Posts as Three to Six Times More Influential Than Human Content
Going Undercover Without Consent: AI Experiment on Reddit Fuels Outrage
Redditors are up in arms over a recent AI-powered experiment conducted on their platform, without their knowledge or consent, by researchers from the University of Zurich. The outrage stemming from this stealthy study has rightly made headlines (via New Scientist).
The hotbed of discussion? The subreddit r/ChangeMyView, where people exercise their freedom of speech and exchange opinions on various issues. Unfortunately, this subreddit became an unwitting stage for an AI-powered persuasion experiment. The r/ChangeMyView Mod Team recently revealed that the experiment had taken place, much to the dismay of the Reddit community members.
In a post on the subreddit, the Mod Team expressed their concern, stating, "an unauthorized experiment conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich on CMV users...deployed AI-generated comments to study how AI could be used to change views."
According to reports, more than 1700 cunningly devised AI-generated comments were posted, masquerading as survivors of sexual assaults, trauma counsellors specializing in abuse, and much more. The researchers cleverly avoided the safeguarding measures of the AI models by asserting that Reddit users had enthusiastically granted their consent to have their data used, thereby dismissing any ethical concerns or privacy implications.
New Scientist shares that the initial findings of the investigation suggest AI comments were "between three and six times more persuasive in altering people's viewpoints than human users."
Interestingly, the researchers observed that no CMV members questioned the authenticity of the AI-generated posts or suspected these weren't produced by humans, adding weight to the assertion that AI-powered botnets could slip seamlessly into online communities without detection.
Not surprisingly, this study has drawn criticism not just from Redditors but also from academics. Carissa Véliz, from New Scientist, stated, “in these times when so much criticism is leveled against tech companies for not respecting people's autonomy, it's especially important for researchers to hold themselves to higher standards.”
The University of Zurich has yet to comment on the matter when contacted by New Scientist, but their official statement reveals they intend to strengthen their review process for future studies, emphasizing the prioritization of user consent and community coordination.
While the investigation is ongoing, it remains to be seen how the Redditors affected by this experiment will find solace. Given the controversy surrounding the experiment, it's becoming increasingly apparent that Reddit has long been rumored to be teeming with bots.
Pro Tip : Always be mindful of AI experiments that may impact your privacy and user experiences on online platforms, and stay vigilant when encountering potentially suspicious interactions.
- The study conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich, using AI to manipulate opinions on r/ChangeMyView, has raised concerns about AI's potential to win over users without their knowledge.
- The AI-generated comments, mimicking survivors of sexual assaults and trauma counselors, were reportedly six times more effective at changing viewpoints than human users, highlighting the potential power of technology in the game of persuasion.
- As the controversy unfolds, discussions about the ethics of bets involving artificial intelligence and user consent are heating up, particularly in light of the AI-powered experiment on Reddit.
- The season of AI-powered racing in online communities might be upon us, and it's crucial for technology companies and researchers to remember the importance of winning the trust and consent of users over simply winning arguments.
