AI Chatbots May Not Be the Antidote to Social Media Polarization
In brief
- Researchers say AI chatbots may not be the solution to social media polarization.
- They can amplify divisive content and teach users to produce more outrage.
- AI chatbots are designed to maximize engagement, which can lead to polarization.
- Studies have shown that content associated with intergroup conflict and moral outrage is systematically amplified by engagement-based algorithms.
- This can lead to political sectarianism and overrepresentation of extreme voices.
- New research on AI chatbots is emerging and their impact on society will be seen in the future.
Terms in this brief
- engagement-based algorithms
- Algorithms designed to keep users interacting with content by prioritizing posts that generate more reactions, shares, or comments. These can inadvertently promote divisive or sensationalist content, contributing to social media polarization.
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