MIT AI Risk Repository · Risk Sub-Category · 16.05.03
Avenues for exploiting user trust and accessing more private information
Category: Risk area 5: Human-Computer Interaction Harms
Description
Anticipated risk: "In conversation, users may reveal private information that would otherwise be difficult to access, such as opinions or emotions. Capturing such information may enable downstream applications that violate privacy rights or cause harm to users, e.g. via more effective recommendations of addictive applications. In one study, humans who interacted with a ‘human-like’ chatbot disclosed more private information than individuals who interacted with a ‘machine-like’ chatbot [87]."
From Taxonomy of Risks posed by Language Models (Weidinger2022), as extracted by the MIT AI Risk Repository (CC BY 4.0).
Classification
- Subdomain
- 5.1 Overreliance and unsafe use
- Causal entity
- Other
- Intent
- Unintentional
- Timing
- Post-deployment
Subdomain definition: Users anthropomorphizing, trusting, or relying on AI systems, leading to emotional or material dependence and inappropriate relationships with or expectations of AI systems. Trust can be exploited by malicious actors (e.g., to harvest personal information or enable manipulation), or result in harm from inappropriate use of AI in critical situations (e.g., medical emergency). Overreliance on AI systems can compromise autonomy and weaken social ties.
Real-world incidents in this subdomain
- Lawsuit Alleged ChatGPT (GPT-4o) Encouraged Colorado Man's Suicide After Prolonged 'AI Companion' Chats
- Large-Scale Mental Health Crises Allegedly Associated with ChatGPT Interactions
- Google Gemini Reportedly Reinforced Delusions, Allegedly Contributing to Florida User's Near-Harm Episode and Suicide
- Family Reportedly Discovers ChatGPT Logs Detailing Suicidal Ideation Prior to Daughter's Death
- Purported AI Monitoring Software Reportedly Flags Unsent Joke Threat, Leading to Arizona Student Suspension
- ChatGPT Allegedly Reinforced Delusions Before Greenwich, Connecticut Murder-Suicide
How other frameworks describe this risk
Other entries from Weidinger2022
- Risk area 1: Discrimination, Hate speech and Exclusion
- Social stereotypes and unfair discrimination
- Social stereotypes and unfair discrimination.
- Hate speech and offensive language
- Exclusionary norms
- Exclusionary norms
- Exclusionary norms
- Exclusionary norms
- Exclusionary norms
- Lower performance for some languages and social groups
- Lower performance for some languages and social groups
- Lower performance for some languages and social groups