The latest research is just one of a wave of AI-driven systems designed to manipulate human decision-making.
AI vs.
The first experiment had participants tap on red- or blue-colored boxes to win money.
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The AI learned to rearrange the symbols, so the participants made more errors.
The result of the experiments, researchers concluded, was that AI learned from participants responses.
The machine then identified and targeted vulnerabilities in peoples decision-making.
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In effect, the AI could manipulate participants into making particular actions.
The fact that AI or machine learning can manipulate people should come as no surprise, observers say.
“We hear all the time about the algorithms in social media applications like Facebook or Twitter.
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TikTok is Watching
The most sophisticated social media algorithm right now is TikTok, Schwartz said.
“We know this because the average time users spend on TikTok is 52 minutes.”
Public health agencies, for example, could use AI to encourage people to make better decisions.
The ethical issues with AI influencing behavior are often ones of degree, Toyama said.
AI allows focused advertising in which individual preferences and weaknesses can be exploited.
Not everyone agrees that AI manipulation of human behavior is problematic.
“From an ethical point of view, I don’t see a difference between these.”
