In a talk called “Bridging Political Divides with Artificial Intelligence,” Duke Professor Christopher Bail discussed how AI, like ChatGPT, could improve the way we handle political conversations. Speaking at Elon University’s Active Citizen Series, Bail explained how AI can help mediate political debates, making discussions more productive, even if it doesn’t change people’s minds.

Bail compared the current political climate in America to a couple struggling to communicate in marriage counseling. He pointed out that, like in troubled relationships, people often talk past each other in politics because they can’t see things from the other person’s perspective. This is where AI could really make a difference.

In his study, people with opposing political views used an AI chat assistant developed by Bail’s team to help rephrase their arguments. The AI offered alternative ways to respond, aiming to make conversations more constructive. While the AI didn’t necessarily change participants’ beliefs, it did help them understand and respect the other side’s viewpoint, making it easier to have difficult conversations in the future.

Bail’s work goes beyond just academic research. His AI technology is already being used by platforms like Nextdoor to help users communicate more kindly and follow community guidelines. This has led to a 15% reduction in content violations, showing how AI can promote more respectful online interactions.

However, Bail also acknowledged the challenges of using AI in this way, including concerns about bias in content moderation. Despite these issues, he believes AI has the potential to help bridge the growing divide in American politics by changing the way we talk to each other.

Read about: Is your Job safe from AI

Can AI generate better ideas than HUMAN?

I can’t focus on my studies-mobile scrolling-lazy and unmotivated