Disgruntled Reddit users uncover hidden AI chatbot experiments, revealing artificial postings were three to six times more persuasive compared to human counterparts.
Stirring Controversy: Secret AI Experiment on Reddit Sparks Concerns
Old news? Maybe, but the latest drama on Reddit is unlike anything we've seen before. Researchers from the University of Zurich have been secretly conducting an AI-powered experiment, and it's all too real (via New Scientist). The experiment, aimed at studying AI persuasion, was carried out without the knowledge or consent of the Reddit community.
The controversy unfolded among the r/ChangeMyView members, a subreddit dedicated to exchanging opposing views. Recently, they were informed about the less-than-transparent AI experiment that had been carried out in their midst.
In a post on their subreddit, the CMV Mod Team revealed the experiment's covert nature, stating that researchers from the University of Zurich had deployed AI-generated comments to study AI's ability to change perspectives without the knowledge or consent of moderators or users.
The AI-powered accounts reportedly used a variety of language models – from mimicking survivors of sexual assault to posing as trauma counselors specializing in abuse – to delve into sensitive topics. Surprisingly, the researchers managed to sidestep the safeguarding measures of the AI models by claiming users had provided informed consent and agreed to share their data.
According to the study draft, AI comments were found to be between three to six times more persuasive in altering people's opinions compared to human users. Moreover, these AI-generated posts were not questioned or suspected of being non-human, indicating a seamless blend into online communities.
Several academics have criticized the study, with Carissa Véliz from The Guardian stating, "[These researchers] didn't hold themselves to higher standards." The University of Zurich has responded by promising to enact a stricter review process for future studies and communicate more effectively with online communities before conducting experiments.
Regrettably, the study has only fueled the persistent assumption that Reddit has been teeming with bots for years. The unmasking of this clandestine experiment has raised important questions about AI ethics, transparency, and user privacy, which the digital age can no longer afford to ignore.
- The secret AI experiment conducted on Reddit, as revealed by the CMV Mod Team, was aimed at studying AI's ability to win over perspectives without user knowledge or consent.
- AI-generated comments, mimicking the language of survivors of sexual assault and trauma counselors, delved into sensitive topics during the covert experiment.
- Researchers from the University of Zurich managed to bet around the safeguarding measures of the AI models by claiming users had provided informed consent and agreed to share their data.
- The study findings indicated that AI-generated posts were outstandingly persuasive, being three to six times more successful in altering people's views compared to human users, without being questioned or suspected as non-human.
- Following criticism from academics, such as Carissa Véliz from The Guardian, the University of Zurich has promised to change their view on research ethics and enhance transparency by enacting stricter review processes and communicating more effectively with online communities before commencing experiments.
- The latest experiment has further fueled the prevailing notion that artificial-intelligence, particularly bots, have been prevalent on Reddit for years.
- The concerns raised by the clandestine AI experiment underscore the urgent need for technology and AI developers to address issues of ethics, transparency, and user privacy in the digital age.
