Improving Online Conversations: AI’s Role in Fostering Civility
A team of researchers has harnessed the power of AI to enhance the quality and civility of online discussions, aiming to create a safer and more positive digital landscape. As the influence of online conversations continues to grow, platforms such as social media and digital news outlets have become breeding grounds for arguments, threats, and name-calling, especially when it comes to divisive topics.
Transforming Online Chats Through AI Moderation
Scientists from Brigham Young University (BYU) and Duke University collaborated to develop an AI system capable of moderating online conversations effectively while promoting civility. To test its efficacy, they conducted a field experiment involving 1,574 participants engaging in a discussion about gun regulation in the US—an issue known for its contentious nature and frequent political debates. Each participant was assigned a partner who held opposing views on gun policies.
In the experiment, conversation pairs were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control condition. In the treatment condition, one participant received three AI-generated suggestions from GPT-3 on rephrasing their message. The AI suggestions aimed to help users express their thoughts in a more polite manner without altering the content of their comments. Participants could choose to send one of the AI-suggested alternatives, their original message, or modify any message as they saw fit.
Vin Howe/BYU
Throughout the conversations, there was an average of 12 messages sent, resulting in a total of 2,742 AI-generated rephrasing suggestions. Remarkably, participants accepted the AI-suggested rephrasings approximately two-thirds of the time. This led to significantly higher conversation quality reported by chat partners of individuals who incorporated one or more AI rephrasing suggestions. Moreover, these partners demonstrated increased willingness to listen to opposing political perspectives.
Promoting a Culture of Respect in Online Discourse
The researchers emphasize that their findings support the idea of using scalable AI solutions to combat the toxic online culture prevalent on the internet. Unlike limited professional training sessions on online civility, AI interventions can be implemented broadly across different digital channels.
Ultimately, this research showcases the potential for AI to foster positive and respectful discussions, thus cultivating a more empathetic online landscape. David Wingate, one of the study’s co-authors, expresses optimism for the future, stating, “My hope is that we’ll continue to have more BYU students build pro-social applications like this and that BYU can become a leader in demonstrating ethical ways of using machine learning. In a world dominated by information, we need students who can go out and wrangle the world’s information in positive and socially productive ways.”
Conclusion
The recent study conducted by BYU and Duke University highlights the ability of AI to enhance the quality and civility of online discussions. By offering users suggestions to rephrase their comments, AI technology significantly improved conversation quality and increased openness to opposing perspectives. This scalable solution offers a promising way to combat the toxicity prevalent in online culture, fostering empathy and respect. As the impact of online conversations continues to grow, it is essential to leverage AI in ethical ways to cultivate a more positive digital landscape.
Editor Notes: Embracing AI and Responsible Online Engagement
It is encouraging to see researchers harnessing the potential of AI to create a kinder and safer online environment. The study conducted by Brigham Young University and Duke University demonstrates the significant impact AI can have on enhancing conversation quality and promoting civility. By encouraging responsible online engagement, especially when discussing polarizing topics, AI serves as a powerful tool in fostering empathy and mutual understanding.
As we navigate the digital realm, it becomes increasingly important for platforms, users, and educational institutions to prioritize ethical and positive applications of machine learning. By incorporating AI interventions and empowering students to develop pro-social applications, we can shape a future where technology serves as a catalyst for productive and respectful online discourse.
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