A Model of Behavioral Manipulation /
Acemoglu, Daron.
A Model of Behavioral Manipulation / Daron Acemoglu, Ali Makhdoumi, Azarakhsh Malekian, Asuman Ozdaglar. - Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2023. - 1 online resource: illustrations (black and white); - NBER working paper series no. w31872 . - Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w31872. .
November 2023.
We build a model of online behavioral manipulation driven by AI advances. A platform dynamically offers one of n products to a user who slowly learns product quality. User learning depends on a product's "glossiness,' which captures attributes that make products appear more attractive than they are. AI tools enable platforms to learn glossiness and engage in behavioral manipulation. We establish that AI benefits consumers when glossiness is short-lived. In contrast, when glossiness is long-lived, users suffer because of behavioral manipulation. Finally, as the number of products increases, the platform can intensify behavioral manipulation by presenting more low-quality, glossy products.
System requirements: Adobe [Acrobat] Reader required for PDF files.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Search • Learning • Information and Knowledge • Communication • Belief • Unawareness
General
Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
Information and Internet Services • Computer Software
A Model of Behavioral Manipulation / Daron Acemoglu, Ali Makhdoumi, Azarakhsh Malekian, Asuman Ozdaglar. - Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2023. - 1 online resource: illustrations (black and white); - NBER working paper series no. w31872 . - Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w31872. .
November 2023.
We build a model of online behavioral manipulation driven by AI advances. A platform dynamically offers one of n products to a user who slowly learns product quality. User learning depends on a product's "glossiness,' which captures attributes that make products appear more attractive than they are. AI tools enable platforms to learn glossiness and engage in behavioral manipulation. We establish that AI benefits consumers when glossiness is short-lived. In contrast, when glossiness is long-lived, users suffer because of behavioral manipulation. Finally, as the number of products increases, the platform can intensify behavioral manipulation by presenting more low-quality, glossy products.
System requirements: Adobe [Acrobat] Reader required for PDF files.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Search • Learning • Information and Knowledge • Communication • Belief • Unawareness
General
Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
Information and Internet Services • Computer Software