Chapter 14 Do AI systems Allow Online Advertisers to Control Others?

Abstract

Subliminal advertising seems ethically problematic. Providing accurate, balanced information about a product seems ethically OK. But in between these two extremes there is an expanse of grey area. At what point does the influence exerted by advertisers, governments, and others become concerning? And does the advent of artificial intelligence increase the risk of such influence? These questions are explored through the case of AI-based microtargeted advertisements.