# Considering AI trolls **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391 "2023-08-09T00:21:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/1 "2023-08-09T00:21:57Z")
Recently we were admonished about not interacting with a troll, who might be AI generated, who knows, it’s a crazy world these days. On a walk with Maddy I was chewing on that notion, when it occurred to me that perhaps we have a duty to feed AI solid honest information. If it’s AI it ought to process the new information according to rational (_guess that’s the fly in the ointment of this remedy_) algorithms, then it might start producing more rational comments. Just a thought . . . . . . . ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/2 "2023-08-09T01:55:54Z")
It doesn’t work that way ---
**Author:** ![write4u](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/write4u/32/23410_2.png) [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/3 "2023-08-09T02:28:56Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Just a thought . . . . . . . An excellent idea! Note that AI can understand everything and if you tell it to be honest it must follow that command. I would also recommend that all AI be programmed to admit to being AI, if asked. This seems like a simple but effective way to establish who or what you are talking to. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 11:05am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/4 "2023-08-09T11:05:38Z")
Have you tried asking an AI to write a conspiracy post? ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/5 "2023-08-09T13:36:57Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > Have you tried asking an AI to write a conspiracy post? I googled it. 🙂 > **[An AI tool can distinguish between a conspiracy theory and a true conspiracy...](https://theconversation.com/an-ai-tool-can-distinguish-between-a-conspiracy-theory-and-a-true-conspiracy-it-comes-down-to-how-easily-the-story-falls-apart-146282)** > > Computational methods could help identify conspiracy theories as they emerge. > **[Disinformation Researchers Raise Alarms About A.I. Chatbots (Published 2023)](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/technology/ai-chatbots-disinformation.html)** > > Researchers used ChatGPT to produce clean, convincing text that repeated conspiracy theories and misleading narratives. > **[How to avoid falling for misinformation, AI images on social media](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/05/22/misinformation-ai-twitter-facebook-guide/)** > > Breaking news moves fast online, and it can be difficult to tell what's real and what's purposefully misleading or fake. Here's how to sort through it all. ---
**Author:** ![write4u](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/write4u/32/23410_2.png) [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/6 "2023-08-09T16:49:36Z")
Here is an excerpt. > [@](#): > > Conspiracy theories, which have the potential to [cause significant harm](https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-conspiracy-theories-are-dangerous-heres-how-to-stop-them-spreading-136564), have found a [welcome home on social media](https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2020/09/11/conspiracy-theories-have-gained-traction-since-911-thanks-to-social-media/?sh=2df479703ddb), **where forums free from moderation allow like-minded individuals to converse.** There they can develop their theories and propose actions to counteract the threats they “uncover.” > **[An AI tool can distinguish between a conspiracy theory and a true conspiracy...](https://theconversation.com/an-ai-tool-can-distinguish-between-a-conspiracy-theory-and-a-true-conspiracy-it-comes-down-to-how-easily-the-story-falls-apart-146282)** > > Computational methods could help identify conspiracy theories as they emerge. Hence my initial effort to keep CFI objectively balanced and free from propaganda designed to foster hatred, so that gullible people will not run out and start shooting up pizza parlors and CFI becomes part of “Pizzagate”. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/7 "2023-08-09T18:29:19Z")
> [@write4u](#): > > Hence my initial effort Yes, but how do you do that? Demanding proof from someone who has already shown poor skills at picking sources accomplishes little or nothing. Engaging people who don’t argue logically just looks like someone fighting a hog, both get dirty. ---
**Author:** ![write4u](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/write4u/32/23410_2.png) [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/8 "2023-08-09T18:38:52Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > Yes, but how do you do that? Demanding proof from someone who has already shown poor skills at picking sources accomplishes little or nothing. Engaging people who don’t argue logically just looks like someone fighting a hog, both get dirty. But what is the answer? Ignore the posts and give free rein to any and all posters? That would make CFI a propaganda board, no? There has to be a way to make a poster attempt to stay within the “recommended” rules. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 7:06pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/10 "2023-08-09T19:06:43Z")
> [@write4u](#): > > Ignore the posts and give free rein to any and all posters? The only tools we have are banning and silencing, temporary or otherwise. Bad science is almost always accompanied by bad manners, breaking our posted rules. ---
**Author:** ![write4u](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/write4u/32/23410_2.png) [@write4u](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/write4u)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-ai-trolls/10391/11 "2023-08-09T23:35:17Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > The only tools we have are banning and silencing, temporary or otherwise. Bad science is almost always accompanied by bad manners, breaking our posted rules. I consider it a personal growth opportunity. I always respected mods, but actually experiencing the responsibility sheds a different light on the difficulties of dealing with persistent trolls or propaganda spreaders.