AI wins debates against humans, with bonus points for knowing your personal details

New research reveals that AI can be just as persuasive as humans in debates, and even more so when armed with information about a person’s age, gender, ethnicity, and political views. Francesco Salvi, a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, warns that if persuasive AI can be deployed at scale, it could lead to armies of bots microtargeting undecided voters with tailored political narratives that feel authentic.

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The study, which involved 600 debates, found that AI was most effective at shifting opinions on topics that people didn’t already have strong views on. This suggests that AI can exploit the undecided middle by providing personalised persuasion. Unlike your annoying uncle at Thanksgiving, AI’s debate style is analytical and structured, making points that feel crafted specifically for the individual.