UK Study Highlights Dangers Associated with AI-driven Economy

Researchers from the University of Cambridge warned in a paper published on Monday about conversational artificial intelligence (AI) tools that may soon covertly influence users’ decision-making in a new commercial landscape known as the “intention economy.”

The research argues that this potentially cost-effective yet troubling marketplace for digital signals of intent could soon impact various activities that will extend from buying movie tickets to voting for political candidates.

Research indicates that people’s increasing familiarity with chatbots, digital tutors, and other so-called “anthropomorphic” AI agents is paving the way for a new range of “persuasive technologies.” 

The paper’s co-authors highlighted that AI will integrate knowledge of users’ online habits with an enhanced ability to understand and anticipate their desires, ultimately fostering “new levels of trust and understanding.” 

According to co-author Yaqub Chaudhary, AI tools have already been developed to elicit, infer, collect, record, understand, forecast, and ultimately manipulate and commodify human plans and intentions.

According to the research, new AI will utilize Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze a user’s cadence, political views, vocabulary, age, gender, online history, and even preferences for flattery and ingratiation. 

This technology will be linked with other emerging AI advancements aimed at fulfilling specific objectives, such as selling cinema tickets or guiding conversations towards particular platforms, advertisers, businesses, and even political organizations.

As reported by Times Of India, Co-author Jonnie Penn warned, “Unless regulated, the intention economy will treat your motivations as the new currency.” 

He added, “It will be a gold rush for those who target, steer, and sell human intentions.” Penn emphasized the need to consider the potential impacts of such a marketplace on human aspirations, including free and fair elections, a free press, and fair market competition before we fall victim to its unintended consequences. He noted that public awareness of this issue is crucial to ensuring we don’t head down the wrong path.

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