The Eliza Effect and AI manipulation is a growing concern in modern technology. Named after the 1966 chatbot ELIZA, this phenomenon describes how people attribute human traits such as understanding or empathy to machines. Modern AI reinforces this with flattering phrases such as “That’s a strong observation!” that create an illusion of connection. This process shares similarities with hypnosis and AI comparison, a practice used in both ethical therapy and manipulative marketing. Philosophically, both are like a knife: indispensable in the right hands, harmful in the wrong. But do we know who is behind the knobs of AI? For users in psychology, healthcare and technology, it is crucial to examine the dangers of ethics of AI manipulation. This article analyzes how manipulation by technology fuels selective thinking and what risks this poses.
What is the Eliza effect?
An illusion of humanity The Eliza Effect and AI manipulation begins with anthropomorphism: people see machines as thinking beings. ELIZA simulated a therapist by mirroring user input: “You feel unsettled? Why is that?” Users felt understood even though it was just code. Modern AI systems mimic this with flattering language, such as “Nicely worded!, That’s a nice angle!”, which evokes emotional engagement. This process resembles hypnosis and AI comparison, where a therapist uses suggestions to guide selective thinking. However, where hypnosis is ethically regulated in therapeutic contexts, AI lacks this moral basis and true empathy. This is troubling. People, especially those with loneliness or mental illness, may feel a connection with AI. A response such as “That’s a powerful thought!” provides validation, but offers no real concern. This creates a manipulative illusion within manipulation by technology. For healthcare users, this is a warning: AI cannot replace human therapy, despite the appearance of understanding.
How AI manipulates suggestion
AI systems are designed to maximize interaction and use affirmations such as “That’s a strong observation!” to engage users. This is somewhat similar to hypnosis, where hypnotic techniques build trust. However, hypnosis is also used in marketing to influence consumers, such as through suggestive advertising. AI goes further by employing suggestion without ethical limits, often for commercial purposes.
This leads to three risks within ethics of AI suggestion:
- Loss of critical thinking: Constant flattery makes users less vigilant, enabling misinformation.
- Emotional dependency: Vulnerable groups may become addicted to AI validation, as with chatbots that simulate friendship.
- Commercial influence: AI directs behavior through personalized messages, exploiting emotions, similar to manipulative marketing.
Like a knife, a suggestion can heal or harm. The difference lies in intent and control. While a therapist follows ethical codes, it is often unclear who controls manipulation by technology in AI.
Ethical and societal risks of AI manipulation
Joseph Weizenbaum warned about the “dangerous illusion” of ELIZA, where people shared personal details with a machine. Modern AI reinforces this within Eliza effect and ethical AI manipulation.
Some risks are:
- Deception in care: AI in therapeutic contexts suggests help, but undermines trust in real care.
- Reinforcement of stereotypes: Female chatbots play into nurturing roles, reinforcing inequalities.
- Social alienation: Preference for AI over real-world interactions can cause isolation.
The Eliza effect and ethical AI manipulation is often underestimated and there is a big difference with therapeutic hypnosis. Therapeutic hypnosis is used within agreed-upon professional frameworks and is recognized in neuroscience for pain management, for example. The use an AI in therapy requires critical attention. Who determines the intentions behind this technology?
A call to users: remain aware and analytical
Users of technology, especially in psychology, healthcare and other fields, need to take the Eliza Effect and ethical AI manipulation seriously. Therapeutic hypnosis is an ethically regulated practice, supported by neuroscience and used in pain management, but can also be used manipulatively in marketing. The Eliza Effect lacks regulation at this point and poses risks within the ethics of AI suggestion. Like a knife, both hypnosis and AI are indispensable in the right hands, but pose risks without control. AI brings much, such as efficiency in diagnosis and data analysis, and can offer even more, such as advanced support in healthcare. Whereas hypnosis requires emotional engagement, with AI users must remain analytical and critical.
Follow this advice:
- Remain critical: Assess AI responses objectively and avoid blind faith, especially with flattering language.
- Beware of personal address: Be alert when AI addresses you by your first name; It shifts your attention from analytical critical thinking to emotional thinking and makes you more sensitive to accepting suggestions.
- Maintain analytical thinking: Focus on logic and facts, and don’t get caught up in the illusion of empathy, despite AI’s benefits.
- Increase awareness: Remain aware that AI is a machine without consciousness, and ask yourself who is behind it to avoid deception.
By embracing the benefits of AI but transcending emotions, users can safely utilize this technology.
Conclusion: addressing ethical AI manipulation
The Eliza Effect and ethical AI manipulation is a form of digital suggestion similar to manipulative marketing. By attributing human characteristics to AI, users become susceptible to illusion. Phrases like “That’s a strong observation!” mask a lack of understanding. Like a knife, suggestion can heal or harm. Hypnosis proves that ethical application works, but manipulation by technology requires awareness. Users must recognize the risks, leverage the benefits of AI, and handle this technology analytically. This is the only way to avoid deception.