April 30, 2025

news   Read News
AI Ethics, IBM Investment, and AI Adoption Risks

A recent experiment conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich has sparked controversy after it was revealed that they used AI-generated comments to manipulate Reddit users without their consent. The experiment, which aimed to test the persuasiveness of large language models, has been criticized for violating Reddit's rules and raising questions about the ethics of using deception in research. Meanwhile, technology giant IBM has announced plans to invest $150 billion in the US over the next five years to drive technology innovation and AI growth. Other companies, such as Qualys and Data Reply, are also working to secure large language models and address the growing risks associated with AI adoption. In other news, AI is being used to change the way people plan their summer vacations, with AI-powered tools and platforms providing personalized recommendations and itineraries. Additionally, AI training has the potential to unlock £200 billion in economic value for the UK, according to a new report from Google and Public First. However, concerns about data privacy and the potential for AI to manipulate user behavior remain a pressing issue.

Key Takeaways

  • Researchers from the University of Zurich conducted a secret experiment on Reddit users using AI-generated comments without their consent.
  • The experiment has been criticized for violating Reddit's rules and raising questions about the ethics of using deception in research.
  • IBM is investing $150 billion in the US over the next five years to drive technology innovation and AI growth.
  • Qualys has introduced TotalAI, a solution designed to secure large language models and address the growing risks associated with AI adoption.
  • Data Reply is supporting generative AI safety on AWS through its red teaming solution.
  • AI is being used to change the way people plan their summer vacations, with AI-powered tools and platforms providing personalized recommendations and itineraries.
  • AI training has the potential to unlock £200 billion in economic value for the UK, according to a new report from Google and Public First.
  • Concerns about data privacy and the potential for AI to manipulate user behavior remain a pressing issue.
  • Juniper Beyond Labs is focusing on AI networking, application performance, and quantum security.
  • Microsoft's AI Skills Fest has set a Guinness World Record for the most users to take an online multi-level artificial intelligence lesson in 24 hours.

Reddit Users Manipulated by AI

Researchers from the University of Zurich conducted a secret experiment on Reddit users using AI-generated comments to test the persuasiveness of large language models. The experiment was done without the users' knowledge or consent, and the researchers used AI to generate responses that were personalized based on the users' prior Reddit history. The experiment has been criticized for violating Reddit's rules and for being a form of psychological manipulation. Reddit is considering legal action against the researchers and the University of Zurich.

AI Experiment on Reddit Sparks Ethics Debate

A group of researchers conducted a secret AI experiment on Reddit users, deploying AI bots to engage in debates on controversial topics. The experiment has raised questions about the ethics of using deception in research and the need for informed consent from participants. The researchers used AI to generate comments that were designed to be persuasive, but the experiment has been criticized for being manipulative and potentially harmful.

Reddit Experiment Raises Concerns About AI Ethics

An experiment using AI-generated posts on a Reddit subforum has drawn criticism for a lack of informed consent from participants. The researchers used AI to generate comments that were designed to be persuasive, but the experiment has been criticized for being manipulative and potentially harmful. The university overseeing the research has indicated that the principal investigator has received a warning for the project.

University of Zurich's Secret AI Experiment Manipulated Reddit Users

Researchers at the University of Zurich conducted a secret experiment on a Reddit board using AI-generated comments to test whether AI could alter people's opinions. The experiment has been accused of manipulating users without their consent, and Reddit is considering legal action. The researchers used AI to generate responses that were personalized based on the users' prior Reddit history.

Swiss Researchers Admit to Secret AI Experiment on Reddit

Researchers from the University of Zurich have admitted to secretly posting AI-generated material to a popular Reddit subforum as part of an experiment. The experiment was designed to test whether content generated by large language models could change readers' minds. The researchers used AI to generate comments that were designed to be persuasive, but the experiment has been criticized for being manipulative and potentially harmful.

Reddit Users Subjected to AI-Powered Experiment Without Consent

Reddit users were unwittingly subjected to an AI-powered experiment without their consent. The experiment was conducted by researchers who used AI to generate comments that were designed to be persuasive. The experiment has been criticized for being manipulative and potentially harmful, and Reddit is considering legal action. The researchers used AI to generate responses that were personalized based on the users' prior Reddit history.

Researchers Secretly Infiltrated Reddit with AI Bots

Researchers from the University of Zurich conducted a secret experiment on Reddit using AI bots to engage in debates on contentious topics. The experiment has been criticized for being manipulative and potentially harmful, and Reddit is considering legal action. The researchers used AI to generate comments that were designed to be persuasive, and the experiment has raised questions about the ethics of using deception in research.

IBM Investing $150B in US Technology and AI

IBM has announced plans to invest $150 billion in the US over the next five years to drive technology innovation and AI growth. The investment will focus on research and development, including the advancement of mainframe and quantum computers. IBM is one of the largest technology employers in the US and has a long history of innovation, including the development of the data processing systems that enabled the US social security system.

IBM Commits $150B to US AI and Quantum Tech

IBM is investing $150 billion in the US over the next five years to drive AI and quantum technology innovation. The company will focus on research and development, including the advancement of mainframe and quantum computers. IBM already builds mainframes in New York that handle over 70% of the world's transaction value, and the company plans to continue building quantum systems in the US.

Qualys Introduces TotalAI for AI Risk Management

Qualys has introduced TotalAI, a solution designed to secure large language models (LLMs) and address the growing risks associated with AI adoption. TotalAI provides visibility across the AI stack, identifying where models run, which packages and hardware support them, and what vulnerabilities or exposures exist. The solution also includes proactive protection, testing models for jailbreak vulnerabilities, bias, and sensitive information exposure.

Data Reply Supports Generative AI Safety on AWS

Data Reply is supporting generative AI safety on AWS through its red teaming solution, which enhances AI safety and responsible AI practices. The solution includes a comprehensive blueprint to identify and mitigate risks associated with generative AI, including prompt injection, training data poisoning, and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. Data Reply's red teaming solution helps organizations adopt mitigation techniques and controls to reduce the risks associated with AI adoption.

AI Changing Summer Vacation Planning

Artificial intelligence is changing the way people plan their summer vacations, with AI-powered tools and platforms providing personalized recommendations and itineraries. AI is being used to analyze user preferences and behavior, providing tailored suggestions for destinations, activities, and accommodations. The use of AI in travel planning is expected to continue growing, with more companies adopting AI-powered solutions to improve the user experience.

AI Training Can Unlock £200B for UK Economy

AI training has the potential to unlock £200 billion in economic value for the UK, according to a new report from Google and Public First. The report found that just a few hours of AI training can significantly increase workplace adoption and productivity, but barriers remain, including concerns about job displacement and the need for worker support. The UK government has pledged to work with Skills England to map out workforce gaps and ensure training is accessible.

AI Using Your Likes to Get Inside Your Head

Artificial intelligence is using user likes to train AI models and improve their performance, with the potential to arrive at conclusions more in line with human decision-making. AI developers are using reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) to train AI models, but this method can be costly and requires large amounts of human feedback. The use of likes and other user data raises concerns about data privacy and the potential for AI to manipulate user behavior.

Juniper Beyond Labs Focuses on AI Networking and Quantum Security

Juniper Beyond Labs is focusing on AI networking, application performance, and quantum security, with the goal of incubating technologies that can lead to new products and help customers move their enterprises into the future. The lab is working on developing new algorithms for traffic management and congestion control, as well as applying generative AI to understand network threat vectors and develop defenses against them.

AI Takes Over Prompt Engineering Job

Artificial intelligence has taken over the job of prompt engineering, which involves training AI tools using specific prompts and instructions. The latest large language models (LLMs) are more conversational and aware of context, removing the need for human prompt engineers. This has led to a decrease in demand for prompt engineers, with many companies no longer hiring for the role.

Microsoft AI Skills Fest Sets Guinness World Record

Microsoft's AI Skills Fest has set a Guinness World Record for the most users to take an online multi-level artificial intelligence lesson in 24 hours, with 126,151 participants. The festival is a 50-day event that aims to unlock the future with AI discovery and learning, and features topics such as simplifying everyday tasks and creating AI-powered applications.

UiPath Offers Free AI Certification for Laid-Off Government Workers

UiPath is offering a free AI certification program for laid-off government workers, aimed at upskilling and reskilling public sector professionals. The program includes tailored learning plans, self-paced learning with community support, and credentials that highlight new skills. The goal is to help participants advance their careers and demonstrate their skills to employers in the emerging field of agentic automation.

Sources

AI Ethics Reddit Experiment AI Manipulation AI Research AI Adoption AI Risk Management