It is not uncommon for Reddit to be filled with outrage, especially regarding AI. However, a new layer has been added to this narrative, with users learning they unwittingly participated in an AI-driven experiment designed to test the effectiveness of AI-generated posts in persuading opinions.

Researchers at the University of Zurich allegedly conducted this experiment without informing the moderators or participants. The r/ChangeMyView subreddit was specifically used to test how AI-generated comments could Alter users’ views.

An announcement from the moderation team stated, “The CMV Mod Team needs to inform the CMV community about an unauthorized experiment conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich on CMV users. This experiment deployed AI-generated comments to study how AI could be used to change views.”

Reports indicate that over 1,700 comments were produced using various language models, even impersonating trauma counselors to relate to sensitive subjects. Notably, the researchers reportedly circumvented ethical safeguards by tricking the AI into believing that users had consented to share their data, effectively ignoring privacy concerns.

New Scientist highlights that preliminary findings suggest AI comments were “three to six times more persuasive” than those from human users, as determined by the number of comments recognized by others as thought-provoking enough to change opinions.

The study raised ethical concerns and attracted criticism from Reddit users and academics alike. Carissa Véliz, an ethicist, articulated the need for researchers to adhere to higher ethical standards, particularly in an era of widespread criticism of tech companies regarding user privacy and autonomy.

While the University of Zurich has acknowledged the controversy, stating it will implement more stringent review processes in future experiments, the ongoing investigation leaves many users unsettled. This incident has only intensified feelings that Reddit may already be overrun with bots.