Slashdot: AI is More Persuasive Than People in Online Debates

May 19, 2025

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Source URL: https://slashdot.org/story/25/05/19/1910215/ai-is-more-persuasive-than-people-in-online-debates?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: AI is More Persuasive Than People in Online Debates

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AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses a study published in Nature Human Behaviour that reveals the persuasive capabilities of large language models (LLMs), particularly in online debates. The study indicates that LLMs, such as GPT-4, significantly outperform humans in persuasion, which raises concerns and implications for fields like targeted advertising and political campaigns.

Detailed Description:
The study referenced in the text examines the interaction between large language models (LLMs) and human participants in the context of persuasion during online debates. Here are significant points derived from the findings:

– **Persuasive Power of LLMs**: Chatbots, particularly advanced models like GPT-4, have demonstrated an ability to persuade individuals more effectively than humans. The study noted that GPT-4 was 64.4% more persuasive than humans in one-on-one debative scenarios.

– **Personalization**: The effectiveness of LLM persuasion increases when these models can tailor their arguments based on specific information about their debate opponents.

– **Application Domains**: The implications of these findings are noteworthy, especially in areas such as:
– **Political Campaigns**: The potential for influencing voter opinions through tailored messaging and arguments.
– **Targeted Advertising**: The ability to craft persuasive advertisements that resonate with individual users by leveraging personal information.

– **Ethical and Governance Concerns**: The co-author of the study, Francesco Salvi, points out the dual nature of this advancement as both fascinating and terrifying, highlighting the ethical implications of AI-driven persuasion and the potential for misuse in shaping public opinion.

The study opens a broader conversation about the security, ethics, and regulatory measures needed to govern the use of LLMs in persuasive contexts, particularly considering the risks associated with manipulative practices in digital environments. Security professionals may need to consider these factors when developing compliance frameworks and governance structures around AI applications.

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