eCommons

 

Assessing the Effects and Risks of Large Language Models in AI-Mediated Communication

Other Titles

Abstract

Large language models like GPT-3 are increasingly becoming part of human communication. Through writing suggestions, grammatical assistance, and machine translation, the models enable people to communicate more efficiently. Yet, we have a limited understanding of how integrating them into communication will change culture and society. For example, a language model that preferably generates a particular view may influence people's opinions when integrated into widely used applications. This dissertation empirically demonstrates that embedding large language models into human communication poses systemic societal risks. In a series of experiments, I show that humans cannot detect language produced by GPT-3, that using large language models in communication may undermine interpersonal trust, and that interactions with opinionated language models change users' attitudes. I introduce the concept of AI-Mediated Communication–where AI technologies modify, augment, or generate what people say–to theorize how the use of large language models in communication presents a paradigm shift from previous forms of computer-mediated communication. I conclude by discussing how my findings highlight the need to manage the risks of AI technologies like large language models in ways that are more systematic, democratic, and empirically grounded.

Journal / Series

Volume & Issue

Description

198 pages

Sponsorship

Date Issued

2022-12

Publisher

Keywords

AI ethics; Human-AI interaction; Large language models; Risk assessment; Social influence

Location

Effective Date

Expiration Date

Sector

Employer

Union

Union Local

NAICS

Number of Workers

Committee Chair

Naaman, Mor

Committee Co-Chair

Committee Member

Matias, Jorge
Macy, Michael

Degree Discipline

Information Science

Degree Name

Ph. D., Information Science

Degree Level

Doctor of Philosophy

Related Version

Related DOI

Related To

Related Part

Based on Related Item

Has Other Format(s)

Part of Related Item

Related To

Related Publication(s)

Link(s) to Related Publication(s)

References

Link(s) to Reference(s)

Previously Published As

Government Document

ISBN

ISMN

ISSN

Other Identifiers

Rights

Rights URI

Types

dissertation or thesis

Accessibility Feature

Accessibility Hazard

Accessibility Summary

Link(s) to Catalog Record