How artificial intelligence is overcoming natural stupidity

A study published in the journal Science, “Durably reducing conspiracy beliefs through dialogues with AI”, carried out on 2,190 Americans who openly believed in a series of absurd conspiracy theories, shows that interacting with an AI chatbot on the subject significantly reduced the strength of those beliefs, and that the effect lasted for at least two months.

The secret to success: the chatbot, with its ability to access massive amounts of information on a huge variety of topics, was able to precisely tailor its counterarguments for each individual.

More than 50% of Americans claim to believe in at least one of the many conspiracy theories out there, outlandish explanations for an event or situation that claim the existence of a plot by powerful and sinister groups, often politically motivated. In general, these individuals tend to turn those theories into a fundamental part of their worldview, the foundations of the edifice that supports their beliefs, and to react angrily when those theories are threatened or challenged.

This is the backfire effect, or belief perseverance, which leads us to continue believing in something despite the availability of new information that firmly contradicts it. One of the best I’ve seen to explain this kind of question is this long comic by The Oatmeal…