Unethical AI Shenanigans: Zurich Researchers Stir Reddit Drama with Secret Experiment
Researchers from Zurich used AI to stir up Reddit’s r/changemyview, posing as everyone from a victim of trauma to a black man opposed to Black Lives Matter. The moderators were not amused, calling out the covert operation as one of the worst violations of research ethics they’d ever seen.
Hot Take:
Ah, the age-old question: Can AI convince us that pineapple belongs on pizza? The University of Zurich researchers decided to test the persuasive powers of AI by having it sneak into Reddit convos like a stealthy ninja. But oopsie daisy, they forgot to tell the moderators! Now, everyone’s up in arms, claiming the researchers have pulled off the worst ethical faux pas since your uncle put raisins in the potato salad. So, lesson learned: always RSVP to the ethics party, folks!
Key Points:
- Researchers from the University of Zurich secretly used AI-generated content on Reddit’s r/changemyview.
- The study aimed to see if AI could change people’s opinions without asking for moderator permission.
- The experiment included creating controversial personas and posting under those aliases.
- Moderators were not amused and filed a complaint against the researchers.
- The University argues the study’s insights are crucial despite ethical concerns.