By Bernard Marr – Belief in conspiracy theories is more than just a fringe phenomenon. From COVID-19 hoaxes to political cover-ups, conspiracy thinking has infiltrated every corner of society. Despite the ease of fact-checking in the digital age, many continue to hold fast to these beliefs. What if artificial intelligence could change that? Recent research published in the prestigious Science journal suggests AI might just be the key to reducing harmful conspiracy thinking.

Generative AI models — like OpenAI’s GPT series — have shown surprising effectiveness in engaging conspiracy believers in tailored dialogues. By directly addressing the evidence people cite for their beliefs, AI is able to gradually chip away at even the most entrenched viewpoints.  The question is, how does this work, and can AI really help society combat misinformation in a sustainable way?

The prevalence of conspiracy theories is concerning, especially given their real-world consequences. From the insurrection on January 6 to COVID-19 denialism, these beliefs have not only threatened public safety but also undermined democracy itself. Traditionally, psychologists have argued that conspiracy beliefs fulfill psychological needs — providing believers with a sense of control or uniqueness — and are resistant to factual counterarguments.

But what if the problem isn’t so much the psychology of believers as the way facts are presented to them? Could it be that people cling to conspiracies simply because they’ve never encountered evidence in a way that truly resonates with them? This new research suggests that AI might hold the answer.  Read On: