> Google Brain’s researchers wondered if they could keep YouTube users engaged for longer by steering them into different parts of YouTube, rather than feeding their existing interests. And they began testing a new algorithm that incorporated a different type of A.I., called reinforcement learning. > The new A.I., known as Reinforce, was a kind of long-term addiction machine. It was designed to maximize users’ engage…
Does it sadden you if it's instead worded as
"The entertainment platform worked on improving their promoted content selection to prevent users from getting bored".
Really, we can have a discussion about ML algorithms running wild and achieving far different results than intended, but trying to exploit every angle for the sake of the "evil, greedy people" narrative feels very dishonest.