Source URL: https://slashdot.org/story/24/12/30/0435226/ai-tools-may-soon-manipulate-peoples-online-decision-making-say-researchers?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: AI Tools May Soon Manipulate People’s Online Decision-Making, Say Researchers
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Summary: This text discusses the potential of AI tools to manipulate online audiences by using insights from human behavior and intentions, emphasizing the emergence of an “intention economy.” Researchers warn about the implications of such technologies on fundamental societal aspects like free elections and market competition, calling for regulation.
Detailed Description: The provided text dives deep into the concept of an “intention economy,” a term used to describe a new marketplace where AI tools can comprehend and influence human motivations. The text presents crucial findings from researchers at the University of Cambridge, underscoring the societal, ethical, and regulatory challenges posed by this emerging economy. Key points include:
* **Definition of Intention Economy**: Unlike the attention economy, which focuses on keeping users engaged on platforms, the intention economy revolves around understanding and manipulating user intentions and selling that data to advertisers or companies.
* **Role of AI and LLMs**:
– The text highlights that large language models (LLMs), which power many AI tools including ChatGPT, will play a critical role in analyzing and influencing user behavior.
– These tools could customize outputs based on incoming user data, potentially allowing advertisers to create highly targeted ads that align with user motivations and inclinations.
* **Regulatory Concerns**:
– Dr. Jonnie Penn from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence raises alarms about the lack of regulation in this area, likening the monetization of human intentions to a new form of currency.
– The text warns of potential negative consequences, such as threats to democratic processes and market fairness if this economy continues to thrive without oversight.
* **Implications for Society**:
– The sentiment shared emphasizes the urgent need for conversations surrounding the ethical implications and regulatory frameworks necessary to manage the risks associated with the intention economy.
Overall, the text serves as a critical reminder for professionals in AI, cloud, and infrastructure security to evaluate the risks tied to AI advancements and the ethical distribution of AI-driven insights, particularly regarding privacy, information security, and compliance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.