Could ChatGPT convince you to buy something? Threat of manipulation looms as AI companies gear up to sell ads

AI companies are gearing up to follow the social media model of monetizing their platforms through advertising. The danger for consumers with AI goes beyond data privacy to covert manipulation.

By: Bruce Schneier, Harvard Kennedy School and Nathan Sanders, Harvard University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 14, 2026

Words: 1,423

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Bruce Schneier, Harvard Kennedy School and Nathan Sanders, Harvard University

Eighteen months ago, it was plausible that artificial intelligence might take a different path than social media. Back then, AI’s development hadn’t consolidated under a small number of big tech firms. Nor had it capitalized on consumer attention, surveilling users and delivering ads.

Unfortunately, the AI industry is now taking a page from the social media playbook and has set its sights on monetizing …

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