Researchers have now found that artificial intelligence can change conspiracy beliefs, challenging the long-held assumption that people who adopt these ideas are very unlikely to change. Many conspiracy theories include claims that the moon landing was fabricated, and another reports that Covid-19 vaccines have microchips embedded in them. Such beliefs sometimes have disastrous consequences.
The study, headed by Dr. Thomas Costello, an associate professor at American University, showed that AI does indeed effectively promote critical thinking and disprove fact-based counterarguments. They conducted experiments using an AI system called “DebunkBot” involving 2,190 people who already believed in conspiracy theories.
Participants shared their conspiracy theory and evidence supporting it with the AI ​​and then engaged in three rounds of conversation. Afterwards, they rated the truth of their beliefs on a 100-point scale. Those who discussed their conspiracy theory with the AI ​​saw a 20% drop in their belief, while the change was minimal for those who discussed non-conspiracy topics.
“Of the people who began the experiment believing in a conspiracy theory, about one-quarter later came out without that belief,” Dr. Costello said.
“In most cases, AI may only make people a little more skeptical and uncertain – but a select few become completely aware of the conspiracy.”
The effect lasted for at least two months and applied to almost all types of conspiracy theories, except for those based on factual information. One in four participants who initially believed in a conspiracy theory completely abandoned it by the end of the experiment.
This suggests that AI could play an important role in addressing the scourge of misinformation, especially on social media. However, Professor Sander van der Linden of the University of Cambridge and others raised questions about whether people would eagerly engage with AI in real-life situations and, frankly, how exactly they managed to win participants over to their methods, including empathy and affirmation. At any rate, this study has meaningful lessons to tell us about the potential of AI to combat conspiracy theories.
