A Researcher Made an AI That Completely Breaks the Online Surveys Scientists Rely On

One of the most widespread, yet relatively unknown, methods for collecting data online is the compilation of surveys and the subsequent research carried out using the results obtained. This practice is fundamental to a variety of scientific studies, however, it currently risks no longer being able to provide reliable and truthful information.

The current situation, in fact, sees this type of research facing an existential threat: the continuous and disproportionate use of artificial intelligence. More specifically, the large language models that are so famous and appreciated today are once again replacing the human hand and mind, responding to the surveys in question and ruining any results obtained through the aforementioned methodology.

Sean Westwood, associate professor of political science at Dartmouth University and director of the Polarisation Research Lab, has created an AI called an “autonomous synthetic responder”, which is apparently capable of circumventing the entire range of “cutting-edge” methods for detecting bots. His contribution clearly highlighted how the use of these tools can “corrupt” the results needed for research.