Today we discuss a growing concern: AI's potential to exacerbate "dark patterns," manipulative design tactics employed on websites and apps to influence user behaviour. These patterns, present on a vast majority of popular platforms, trick users into actions they might not otherwise take, such as unwanted subscriptions or purchases.

While AI personalisation can enhance user experience, it becomes problematic when it exploits vulnerabilities or personal data to push products or services. The real danger lies in generative AI's ability to amplify these dark patterns, replicating them from the vast datasets it learns from.

One study revealed that AI-powered language models like ChatGPT consistently integrated dark patterns into website designs, even when given neutral prompts. This raises ethical and legal questions about AI's role in normalising manipulative designs.

Although regulation and consumer awareness are crucial to combatting this issue, the sources also highlight businesses embracing ethical design practices. By prioritising transparency and user choice, companies can build trust and long-term customer loyalty, ultimately creating a digital landscape where fairness is the norm. The sources argue that eliminating dark patterns benefits both users and businesses in the long run.