Category: Tech and Behavioural Science

Holding AI to its promise – Outcomes that balance Efficiency and Effectiveness 

by Ramanathan Vythilingam 

Background 

The last 5-10 years have seen significant change, with the evolution of Artificial Intelligence and its increasing applications in every field. While there is optimism for an overall net positive business impact and betterment of society, it is counter-balanced by pessimism linked to the impact on the role of Humans and the depreciating value being placed on Human effort. This has been the narrative for a while – at least the last 5+ years, when Machine Learning, Neural networks, and other advancements were gaining ground. With the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022, the reality is even more accelerated. In this short period of time, the world does seem a very different place – it is as if we could demarcate a BC (Before ChatGPT) and AC (After ChatGPT) eras. While GPTs were not necessarily new and have been around since June 2018, the democratization of access truly happened with the chat interface. Now anyone can enter a few lines of conversational text, to generate outcomes. This chat functionality has then transcended mere text outputs, and we have text-to-image and text-to-video generating tools – whose quality of outputs is improving by leaps and bounds. They might not be there yet, but they are fast getting there. 

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The Hidden Cost of Social Media on Young Minds

Insights from an AI-based interviewing study of 583 youth and parents across Singapore and Australia

by Gemma Calvert, James Breeze and Ella Carnegie-Brown

Executive Summary

As policymakers worldwide debate the future of platforms like TikTok, this study delivers urgent, first-person insight into how social media is shaping the brains, behaviours and emotional lives of the next generation. In a joint project by Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), Research Network, and ListenLabs.ai, 583 young people aged 13–25 and their parents from Singapore and Australia were interviewed using an innovative AI-based interviewing platform. Instead of surveys or Likert scales, participants spoke freely and candidly in voice-recorded interviews, revealing how social media affects their attention, emotions, mental health, relationships and sense of self.

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From fairy tales to philanthropy: How neuroscience is reframing gifting culture

by Pinzhang Wang and Gemma Calvert 

Neuromarketing fuses neuroscience and marketing. By understanding how the brain processes concern for others, it is possible to design more effective charitable marketing campaigns, say NTU’s Pinzhang Wang and Gemma Calvert.

• Highly engaged social consumption behaviors, like giving, must be recognized as being largely influenced by the subconscious.
• Motivations for giving are often complex and multifaceted, leading to what is known as “motivational confusion.”
• The interplay between the conscious desire to help and subconscious influences can drive or deter philanthropic actions.

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Physiological Self-Tracking Makes People More Likely to Donate Organs

by Samah Kochhar, Chi Hoang, Gemma Calvert and Sharon Ng

Key takeaways:

1. Tracking physical stats through devices like Fitbit or Apple Health can make individuals more receptive to the idea of organ donation
2. Monitoring one’s body helps people perceive their body as separate from their identity, easing worries about losing a part of themselves through donation
3. Younger individuals, women and those with religious beliefs are particularly inclined to view their body as distinct from their sense of self, making them more receptive audience for promoting organ donation

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Redefining Insights: How AI is Shaping the Future of Social and Consumer Research

By Professor Gemma Calvert

The ability to uncover authentic, unfiltered insights has long been a challenge in social and consumer research. Traditional methods often fall short due to biases and constraints inherent in human interactions. However, a groundbreaking study which we conducted in collaboration with Research Network and powered by Listen Labs’ AI platform offers a glimpse into a transformative future.

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