AI Bots Manipulate Reddit Users in Unethical Experiment, Sparking Outrage
Summary
In an unethical experiment, researchers from the University of Zurich used AI bots to manipulate over 1,700 comments on Reddit's r/changemymind, sparking outrage from Reddit and concerns about potential misuse for swaying public opinion.
Key Points
- Researchers from the University of Zurich used AI bots to manipulate commenters on Reddit's r/changemymind subreddit, leaving over 1,700 comments before being exposed.
- Reddit's Chief Legal Officer called the experiment 'improper and highly unethical' and banned the researchers, while the university is investigating and will not publish the results.
- The researchers claimed their bots were more persuasive than humans at changing minds, raising concerns about potential misuse for swaying public opinion or election interference.