They Ran a Secret AI Experiment on Millions—No One Knew

They Ran a Secret AI Experiment on Millions—No One Knew

Author: Harrison Painter May 31, 2025 Duration: 21:45

They Ran a Secret AI Experiment on Millions—No One Knew
What happens when AI pretends to be human—and changes your mind without telling you?

In today’s episode, we break down the real Reddit experiment where AI bots secretly argued with 3.8 million users. No labels. No disclosure. Just data-driven manipulation designed to win. And it worked—6x better than real people.

This isn’t science fiction. It’s a warning.

We’ll cover:
✅ How the bots were trained to persuade

✅ Why the study violated basic ethics and trust

✅ What the EU AI Act says about manipulation

✅ What this means for marketers, leaders, and everyday users

✅ Why this moment shaped the launch of my new company


The age of AI is here. And the rules aren’t ready.


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What’s your take? Drop a comment. This one’s personal.



Harrison Painter hosts the AI for Everyone Podcast from a rather unique vantage point. After building and selling a company, he found himself in the Hollywood Hills, an experience that sharpened his perspective on what real influence means in a world saturated with mere attention. He translates those hard-won lessons into practical guidance for any professional feeling behind on the AI wave. This isn't a theoretical discussion about machine learning models. Instead, each episode focuses on actionable strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into your daily workflow to reclaim hours, operate with greater assurance, and ultimately improve your financial outcomes. The premise is right there in the title: this is about making powerful tools accessible and immediately useful. You'll hear concrete examples, straightforward advice, and perhaps a few stories from the other side of a successful exit, all aimed at demystifying the technology that's reshaping every industry. Tune in when you're ready to move from knowing AI matters to making it work decisively for your career and business. The AI for Everyone Podcast is built on the idea that these tools should serve you, not intimidate you.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 92

AI Ready Podcast with Harrison Painter
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