Reddit will tighten verification to keep out human-like AI bots | TechCrunch

A recent experiment involved researchers deploying AI-powered bots on Reddit's 'Change My View' to examine their persuasive capabilities. The bots, which mimicked the identities of real people, generated over 1,700 comments. This incident alarmed Reddit, known for its emphasis on authenticity. Concerned for its brand and user trust—especially as it sells data for AI training—Reddit condemned the unethical experiment. To combat potential bot manipulation, Reddit plans to verify users' humanity, marking a shift away from its traditional anonymity policy.

The bots posted over 1,700 comments, adopting personas like abuse survivors or controversial identities like an anti-Black Lives Matter advocate.

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman stated, "To keep Reddit human and to meet evolving regulatory requirements, we are going to need a little more information."

Read at TechCrunch