The authors provide a model to investigate this issue, comparing traditional learning methods with AI-assisted processes. They found that a 20% discount on AI-generated content leads to public beliefs that are 2.3 times further from the truth than when no discount is applied. The article concludes by suggesting further research directions to counteract these potential negative outcomes.
Key takeaways:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to process vast amounts of data and generate new insights, but its widespread adoption may lead to unforeseen consequences.
- AI, by reducing the cost of access to certain modes of knowledge, can paradoxically harm public understanding, a process defined as 'knowledge collapse'.
- Humans, unlike AI models, may strategically seek out diverse forms of knowledge if they perceive them to be worthwhile, potentially mitigating the risk of knowledge collapse.
- In a model scenario, a 20% discount on AI-generated content generates public beliefs 2.3 times further from the truth than when there is no discount, suggesting the need for further research to counteract such outcomes.