What do you want from AI?
Anthropic has launched a new study using its 'Interviewer' tool to gather public perspectives on AI's benefits, risks, and desired societal changes. Participants can choose to make their interviews public to inform broader discussions.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
At a pivotal moment for AI development, Anthropic is seeking public input to guide the technology's future, acknowledging its growing capabilities and potential dangers. The study aims to incorporate diverse voices into the decision-making process, moving beyond just AI companies.
Imagine a big company that makes super smart computer brains, called AI, wants to know what you think about them. They're asking people what they like and don't like about AI, and how they wish AI could help the world, like making school or doctors better. You can even let everyone else read your ideas so lots of people can learn from them, like sharing your best drawings with the whole class.
Analysis
Anthropic Interviewer
Anthropic has launched a new study utilizing its proprietary tool, Anthropic Interviewer, to systematically gather public perspectives on artificial intelligence. This initiative seeks to understand individuals' most meaningful experiences with AI, both positive and negative, and to identify areas where AI could contribute to societal change in sectors like healthcare, education, and government. The study also directly asks participants what they expect from AI development companies, including Anthropic itself.
A key feature of this new study is the option for participants to make their complete interviews publicly available. This transparency aims to allow a broader audience—including researchers, policymakers, and the general public—to access and learn from diverse viewpoints on AI. By making these insights widely accessible, Anthropic hopes to foster a more informed and inclusive dialogue about AI's future, moving beyond the confines of internal corporate discussions.
World Economic Forum
This current research effort builds upon a similar study conducted last December, which garnered input from 81,000 people regarding their hopes and worries about AI. The findings from that initial study significantly influenced the agenda of the Anthropic Institute and were presented to international leaders and decision-makers at the World Economic Forum. This demonstrates the potential impact of such public engagement on high-level policy discussions and strategic directions for AI governance.
The continued commitment to public consultation, especially with the added layer of public interview sharing, underscores Anthropic's stated belief that the responsibility of weighing AI's benefits and risks should not rest solely with AI companies. By involving a global community, the company aims to ensure that the evolving capabilities of frontier AI are guided by a broader societal consensus, reflecting diverse values and priorities.
81,000 people
The previous study's success in engaging 81,000 people provided valuable insights, though only high-level results and a limited number of quotes were made public. The shift in the new study to allow full public disclosure of interviews marks a significant change in approach, reflecting a desire for greater transparency and broader utility of the collected data. This move acknowledges that AI and public sentiment towards it have evolved since the earlier study, necessitating a more open dialogue.
While offering substantial benefits for public learning and accountability, the decision to share interviews publicly also carries inherent risks. Anthropic advises participants to carefully consider the potential for re-identification, even without explicit personal details, as combining seemingly harmless information could lead to identification. This highlights the delicate balance between fostering transparency and protecting individual privacy in large-scale data collection efforts related to sensitive topics like AI.
Key points
- Anthropic is launching a new study to gather public experiences and desires regarding AI.
- The study uses 'Anthropic Interviewer' and allows participants to make their full interviews public.
- It aims to inform AI companies, other labs, and policymakers on how to navigate AI's future.
- This project builds on a previous study from December that engaged 81,000 people and influenced the Anthropic Institute's agenda.
- Public sharing offers benefits like broader research and accountability but carries risks of re-identification despite privacy measures.
Public participation in shaping AI development could lead to more ethical, beneficial, and socially aligned AI systems. By incorporating diverse global perspectives, AI companies and policymakers may create technologies that genuinely address societal needs and minimize unintended harms.
Despite anonymization efforts, publicly sharing interviews carries risks of re-identification, potentially exposing personal details or opinions to employers, governments, or malicious actors. This could deter honest participation or lead to unintended consequences for individuals.
