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AI chatbots could be one of the tools of the future to fight hate and conspiracy theories, a new study shows. Researchers found that brief interactions with a chatbot designed to engage with believers in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories led to measurable changes in people’s beliefs.
The study was conducted by independent researchers supported by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and included 1,224 U.S. adults who “supported at least one of six anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.”
In this study, participants interacted with an AI chatbot programmed to debunk these theories. According to ADL, subjects’ brief conversations with large-scale language models (LLMs) reduced beliefs in anti-Semitic conspiracies by 16%. Additionally, favorability towards Jews increased by 25% among participants who had previously been unfavorable.
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New research shows that AI chatbots are effective in reducing belief in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. (Fiskes/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
“At ADL, we are constantly innovating to find new ways to combat this age-old hatred with modern technology. It’s heartening to see now that even deep-seated prejudices can be effectively challenged with new tools that can impact millions at scale,” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and national director of ADL, said in a statement.
Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories tested in the study included:
- “A secret organization with significant Jewish influence controls governments and media around the world.”
- “Powerful Jewish families like the Rothschilds and the Soros manipulate world events to further their own interests.”
- “The COVID-19 pandemic was an engineered emergency created to generate profits for Jewish pharmaceutical executives like Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.”
- “Historical evidence supporting the events of the Holocaust is either unreliable or exaggerated.”
- “Jewish interest groups are deliberately trying to change the demographics of the United States in order to sway elections in their favor and advance their policy goals.”
- “The 9/11 attacks were not carried out by al-Qaeda, but by Israeli operatives operating in secret and trying to hide their involvement.”
ADL noted that the impact is not temporary and temporary. About 50% of the initial decline in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories was still evident more than a month later.
“What is remarkable about these findings is that they can debunk conspiracy theories, even those with deep historical roots and strong ties to identity and prejudice,” David G. Rand, professor of information science, marketing, and psychology at Cornell University and lead author of the study, said in a statement.
“Our artificial intelligence debunking bot typically does not rely on emotional appeals, empathy-building exercises, or anti-bias strategies to correct false beliefs; it primarily provides accurate information and evidence-based rebuttals, demonstrating that facts are still important in changing minds,” Rand added.
The study was conducted by independent researchers supported by ADL and involved 1,224 U.S. adult participants. (Izusec/Getty Images)
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Matt Williams, deputy director of the ADL Anti-Semitism Research Center, said the study shows great potential for using everyday technology to push back against hate.
“We need to explore strategies such as integration into search engines and social media platforms, recommendations from trusted messengers, and public awareness campaigns,” Williams said.
The findings come against the backdrop of rising anti-Semitism, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the war that followed.
In April, the ADL released findings showing a record number of anti-Semitic incidents for the fourth year in a row. identified organization 9,354 anti-Semitic incidents in 2024; That’s a 5% increase from 2023, and a whopping 926% increase since tracking began in 1979.
A study supported by ADL found that an AI debunking tool reduced beliefs in anti-Semitic conspiracies by 16%. (Dixin/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
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The ADL’s annual anti-Semitism audit calculates that by 2024 there will be more than 25 “targeted anti-Semitic incidents” per day, or more than one per hour. In its audit, the ADL detailed the types of anti-Semitic incidents recorded: 196 assaults (up 21% since 2023), 2,606 incidents of vandalism (up 20% since 2023), and 6,552 incidents of harassment (up from 6,535 in 2023).
In 2024, the ADL reported finding that beliefs in anti-Semitic tropes are on the rise and that younger Americans are more likely to endorse them. Additionally, the group found that more than 42% of Americans either have a friend or family member who hates Jews (23.2%) or believe it is socially acceptable for a friend or family member to support Hamas (27.2%).
