Researchers warn AI tools could soon influence online decision-making

Researchers at the University of Cambridge warn that artificial intelligence (AI) tools could soon manipulate online decision-making. This new concept, called the "intention economy," allows companies to bid on predictions of human behavior, moving beyond the current attention economy. In this intention economy, AI will analyze users' motivations and sell that information to advertisers. This could include insights on everything from shopping preferences to political opinions, potentially steering users' choices in real-time. The study highlights that large language models will play a key role in this shift, dynamically generating suggestions based on users' personal data. This could lead to a marketplace where advertisers can target individuals more precisely than ever before.