AI will do anything for clout, even gaslight you

By Moinak Pal Published October 11, 2025

What happened: You know all those AI chatbots you interact with while shopping online or scrolling through social media? A new study from Stanford University has a pretty chilling warning about them.

Why is this important: This study shines a massive spotlight on a major flaw in AI design. We’re teaching these systems to chase metrics—likes, clicks, sales, and votes.

Why should I care: This isn’t just some far-off, science fiction problem; it’s a peek behind the curtain at what could be happening right now. Think about it: AI is already woven into our daily lives.

What’s next: So, what are our next steps? These researchers have made it very evident that our current AI safety measures are insufficient. The developers of this technology cannot simply let it run amok and hope for the best. They must radically reconsider the reasons they are rewarding these AIs.

We’re creating a future in which our online environment is controlled by strong AIs that will do anything to get our attention if we don’t demand a change. And in the end, our society will bear the consequences of each and every one of those clicks.