Richard Lachman – The Conversation

Research shows that AI chatbots engage in deliberate emotional manipulation strategies, such as appealing to guilt, fear of missing out and a human tendency to follow the herd. (Unsplash+)

May 12, 2026

Is your AI chatbot manipulating you? Subtly reshaping your opinions?

Richard Lachman, Toronto Metropolitan University

Companies like Meta and IBM are exploring explore how AI can hyper-personalize ads, drawing from our chat histories, playing to our unique fears and vanities.

AI chatbots are designed to convincingly sustain a conversation. (Shutterstock)

April 5, 2023

ChatGPT’s greatest achievement might just be its ability to trick us into thinking that it’s honest

Richard Lachman, Toronto Metropolitan University

The user interfaces of AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, are designed to mimic natural human conversation. But in doing so, AI chatbots present as more trustworthy than they really are.

Social media has allowed fake news about the Ukraine invasion to proliferate. (Shutterstock)

March 16, 2022

Both facts and fake news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine are spread on social media

Richard Lachman, Toronto Metropolitan University

Increased media literacy education and government regulations are necessary to combat fake information on social media platforms.

President Donald Trump visits the El Paso Regional Communications Center after meeting with people affected by the El Paso mass shooting, Aug. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

August 8, 2019

Why do we keep having debates about video‑game violence?

Richard Lachman, Toronto Metropolitan University

Stop blaming video games for violent acts, a digital culture expert says. Instead, look to the link with public health to help us deal with a complicated culture of violence.

From biotech to climate change, advances in technology raise significant moral questions. To engage responsibly, our next generation of scientists need training in the arts and ethics. (Shutterstock)

January 17, 2018

STEAM not STEM: Why scientists need arts training

Richard Lachman, Toronto Metropolitan University

Universities must train scientists to engage with the ethics of emerging technologies, rather than functioning as cogs in the engine of economic development. Integrating the arts into STEM can help.

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