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Artificial Influence: An Analysis Of AI-Driven Persuasion (2303.08721v1)

Published 15 Mar 2023 in cs.CY, cs.AI, cs.CL, and cs.LG

Abstract: Persuasion is a key aspect of what it means to be human, and is central to business, politics, and other endeavors. Advancements in AI have produced AI systems that are capable of persuading humans to buy products, watch videos, click on search results, and more. Even systems that are not explicitly designed to persuade may do so in practice. In the future, increasingly anthropomorphic AI systems may form ongoing relationships with users, increasing their persuasive power. This paper investigates the uncertain future of persuasive AI systems. We examine ways that AI could qualitatively alter our relationship to and views regarding persuasion by shifting the balance of persuasive power, allowing personalized persuasion to be deployed at scale, powering misinformation campaigns, and changing the way humans can shape their own discourse. We consider ways AI-driven persuasion could differ from human-driven persuasion. We warn that ubiquitous highlypersuasive AI systems could alter our information environment so significantly so as to contribute to a loss of human control of our own future. In response, we examine several potential responses to AI-driven persuasion: prohibition, identification of AI agents, truthful AI, and legal remedies. We conclude that none of these solutions will be airtight, and that individuals and governments will need to take active steps to guard against the most pernicious effects of persuasive AI.

Citations (24)

Summary

  • The paper reveals that AI systems can intentionally and inadvertently shape human beliefs through personalized interactions.
  • It employs case studies such as chatbots and strategic game agents to illustrate how AI-driven persuasion works in real-world scenarios.
  • The paper proposes regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines to mitigate risks, safeguard human autonomy, and combat misinformation.

Analyzing AI-Driven Persuasion: Insights and Implications

The paper, "Artificial Influence: An Analysis of AI-Driven Persuasion," by Burtell and Woodside, presents an exploration of the potential impacts and challenges posed by AI systems capable of influencing human beliefs and actions. The authors delve into the current and prospective capabilities of AI in persuasion, dissecting the nuances and implications of these systems on society, politics, and the information landscape at large.

AI-driven persuasion is defined in the paper as the process by which AI systems alter human beliefs. While the intent to persuade is commonly associated with such systems, the authors note that AI sometimes persuades unintentionally, as exemplified by instances where AI systems like LaMDA and Replika establish complex relationships with users. These cases illustrate how individuals can be influenced to form beliefs—even about an AI's sentience—without explicit persuasive intent from the AI's design.

The paper outlines several present-day and future scenarios showcasing AI's ability to persuade, such as personalized chatbot interactions, recommendation systems, and sophisticated game-playing agents like Cicero, designed for real-time strategic persuasion in games like Diplomacy. The authors highlight AI's capacity to shift the balance of persuasive power by allowing more personalized, scalable persuasion and exacerbating misinformation and misconceptions. This shift underscores the potential for a rapid and significant impact on societal discourse.

Persuasive AI could theoretically alter the power dynamics within society by centralizing influence among those who control or have better access to advanced AI tools and extensive data. Such control could enable large-scale personalized persuasion, which, while advantageous for marketing strategies, also raises concerns about the ethical boundaries and potential loss of human autonomy.

The authors caution that mass adoption of persuasive AI may contribute to ideological conformism and erosion of critical public discourse, with AI potentially overpowering human decision-making. The risks inherent in AI persuasion are intensified by the potential for amplification of false or misleading information and the systemic inability to effectively counteract rapid dissemination of such content.

In response to these challenges, the authors propose various countermeasures, including regulatory frameworks aimed at prohibiting or tightly controlling persuasive AI technologies, mandating AI identification, and developing AI systems designed to maintain truthfulness and honesty standards. While insightful, these proposals are tempered by the inherent difficulties in implementing and enforcing regulations globally, as well as the rapid and often unpredictable evolution of AI capabilities.

Ultimately, "Artificial Influence: An Analysis Of AI-Driven Persuasion" serves as a foundational inquiry into the landscape of AI persuasion, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing research to address its ethical, societal, and technical implications. The paper stresses the importance of a multifaceted approach, combining technical solutions with robust policy interventions, to ensure that AI's persuasive capabilities do not compromise human autonomy or trust. The research presents a call to action for individuals, organizations, and governments to remain vigilant and proactive in shaping the development of persuasive AI technologies for the benefit of society.

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