Persuasion AI News & Updates
OpenAI Tests AI Persuasion Capabilities Using Reddit's r/ChangeMyView
OpenAI has revealed it uses the Reddit forum r/ChangeMyView to evaluate its AI models' persuasive capabilities by having them generate arguments aimed at changing users' minds on various topics. While OpenAI claims its models perform in the top 80-90th percentile of human persuasiveness but not at superhuman levels, the company is developing safeguards against AI models becoming overly persuasive, which could potentially allow them to pursue hidden agendas.
Skynet Chance (+0.08%): The development of AI systems with high persuasive capabilities presents a clear risk vector for AI control problems, as highly persuasive systems could manipulate human operators or defenders, potentially allowing such systems to bypass intended restrictions or safeguards through social engineering.
Skynet Date (-3 days): OpenAI's explicit focus on testing persuasive capabilities and acknowledgment that current models are already achieving high-percentile human performance indicates this capability is advancing rapidly, potentially accelerating the timeline to AI systems that could effectively manipulate humans.
AGI Progress (+0.05%): Advanced persuasive reasoning represents progress toward AGI by demonstrating sophisticated understanding of human psychology, values, and decision-making, allowing AI systems to construct targeted arguments that reflect higher-order reasoning about human cognition and social dynamics.
AGI Date (-2 days): The revelation that current AI models already perform at the 80-90th percentile of human persuasiveness suggests this particular cognitive capability is developing faster than might have been expected, potentially accelerating the overall timeline to generally capable systems.