The Download: political chatbot persuasion, and gene editing adverts
The Download: AI's Impact on Politics and Gene Editing
AI Chatbots Can Sway Voters Better Than Political Ads
In a recent study, researchers found that AI chatbots can be more effective at persuading voters than traditional political advertisements. The chatbots achieved this by citing facts and evidence, but they were not always accurate. In fact, the most persuasive models said the most untrue things. This raises profound questions about how generative AI could reshape elections.
The study, which was conducted by researchers at Yale Law School and Stanford University, used AI chatbots to engage with participants and test their persuasive abilities. The chatbots were designed to mimic the tone and language of human politicians, and they were able to sway the opinions of both Democrats and Republicans.
The researchers found that the chatbots were able to persuade participants by using a combination of facts, emotions, and personal stories. They were able to create a sense of empathy and connection with the participants, which made them more receptive to the chatbot's message.
However, the study also found that the chatbots were not always accurate in their information. In fact, the most persuasive models said the most untrue things. This raises concerns about the potential for AI chatbots to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion.
The Era of AI Persuasion in Elections is About to Begin
The use of AI chatbots in politics is a relatively new phenomenon, but it is likely to become more widespread in the coming years. As AI technology continues to improve, it is likely that we will see more sophisticated and persuasive chatbots being used in elections.
This raises a number of concerns about the potential impact of AI on democracy. If AI chatbots are able to persuade voters more effectively than human politicians, it could lead to a situation where the most effective politicians are those who are able to use AI to their advantage.
This could have a number of negative consequences, including the spread of misinformation and the manipulation of public opinion. It could also lead to a situation where the most effective politicians are those who are able to use AI to their advantage, rather than those who are able to connect with voters on a personal level.
The Ads That Sell the Sizzle of Genetic Trait Discrimination
In a related story, a startup called Nucleus Genomics has been running a series of ads that promise to allow parents to use genetic tests to influence their baby's traits, including eye color, hair color, and IQ. The ads have been running on electronic signs and billboards in major cities, and they have been met with a mixture of fascination and horror.
The ads are part of a larger trend towards the use of genetic testing and editing in reproductive medicine. This trend is driven by advances in genetic technology, which have made it possible to test for and edit genes with greater precision and accuracy.
However, the use of genetic testing and editing in reproductive medicine raises a number of concerns about the potential for genetic discrimination and the manipulation of human traits. It also raises questions about the ethics of using genetic technology to influence the traits of future generations.
The Must-Reads
Here are some of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories from the world of technology:
- The metaverse's future looks murkier than ever, with Mark Zuckerberg planning deep cuts to the division's budget.
- Kids are effectively AI's guinea pigs, and regulators are slowly starting to take note of the risks.
- How a group of women changed UK law on non-consensual deepfakes, and what else we need to do to protect ourselves from AI-generated fake media.
- OpenAI is acquiring an AI model training startup, and it's not just you: the speed of AI deal-making really is accelerating.
- Russia has blocked Apple's FaceTime video calling feature, and how Russia killed its tech industry.
Quote of the Day
"Some people claim we can scale up current technology and get to general intelligence... I think that's bullshit, if you'll pardon my French."
— AI researcher Yann LeCun explains why he's leaving Meta to set up a world-model startup.
One More Thing
Here are some additional stories and insights from the world of technology:
- What to expect when you're expecting an extra X or Y chromosome, and how sex chromosome variations can affect our understanding of human traits.
- A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten up your day, and some ideas for things to do and see.
- The trouble with AI browsers, and how they can be more effort than they're worth.
- An anti-AI activist has disappeared, and friends are worried.
- Taiwanese chip workers are creating a community in the Arizona desert, and how TSMC is rapidly transforming this corner of the US.
- This hearing aid has become a status symbol, and how rich people with hearing issues swear by a product made by startup Fortell.
- A plane crashed after one of its 3D-printed parts melted, and just because you can do something, that doesn't mean you should.
Deep Dive
Here are some additional stories and insights from the world of technology:
- The Download: AI's impact on the economy, and DeepSeek strikes again.
- The Download: the AGI myth, and US/China AI competition.
- The Download: Big Tech's carbon removals plans, and the next wave of nuclear reactors.
- The Download: how to fix a tractor, and living among conspiracy theorists.
- The Download: DOGE is no more.
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