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Chatbots can persuade conspiracy theorists their view might be wrong

After a short conversation with an artificial intelligence, people’s belief in a conspiracy theory dropped by about 20 per cent

By Chris Stokel-Walker

12 April 2024

Illustration of a computer screen showing words including disinformation and fake

Disinformation fuels conspiracy theories that can be hard to dismantle

Skorzewiak/Shutterstock

Large language model chatbots like those powering ChatGPT can reduce people’s beliefs in conspiracy theories by debating with them. And the approach they employ could even teach people better ways of interacting with conspiracy theorists.

Although past research suggests that the level of beliefs in conspiracy theories in the population hasn’t changed substantially in the US or in six surveyed European countries over about a decade, those who subscribe to such ideas have persistent, dogged faith in those beliefs.…

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