AI Could Soon Influence Human Decision-Making, Study Indicates

Researchers from Cambridge University have found that artificial intelligence (AI) may have a profound impact on how users make decisions by analyzing “intention, behavior, and psychological data,” Anadolu Agency reported.

This study, published on Monday, investigates a new digital landscape referred to as the “intention economy,” which aims to interpret and forecast users’ intentions based on their online activities.

Published in the Harvard Data Science Review, the research emphasizes that AI systems can gather extensive information about individuals, including their plans for hotel bookings and political views. The researchers caution that companies employing these systems might not only anticipate but also manipulate user decisions, potentially selling this data to third parties.

As businesses increasingly adopt the intention economy, they focus on users’ political preferences, language, demographics, online behavior, and personal interests to maximize profits. The study warns that AI could soon offer real-time recommendations for users’ future actions, raising concerns about the associated risks and ethical implications of such technologies.