**Abstract:**
This experimental study investigated the effects of AI-enhanced search engines on research behavior and outcomes. The study employed a randomized controlled trial design to compare the search results diversity, novelty, and reliability between a control group using standard search engine algorithms and an experimental group using AI-enhanced search algorithms. Participants, including researchers, academics, and healthcare professionals, were randomly assigned to each group. The findings revealed significant differences in search outcomes between the control and experimental groups.
**Introduction:**
In the context of the Dead Internet Theory, which posits a decline in the quality and reliability of online information, this study aimed to assess the impact of AI-enhanced search engines on research behavior. Psychological insights and medical considerations guided the theoretical framework, emphasizing the need for reliable and diverse information sources. The methodology included a randomized controlled trial with specific study designs, data collection methods, and analysis techniques to evaluate the effects of AI algorithms on search outcomes.
**Methodology:**
The study utilized a randomized controlled trial design, with the independent variable being the type of search engine algorithm (control vs. AI-enhanced) and the dependent variables focusing on search result diversity, novelty, and reliability. Participants were selected based on predetermined criteria and provided informed consent. Data was collected through pre and post-experiment surveys and analyzed to compare outcomes between the control and experimental groups.
**Results and Findings:**
The study revealed significant differences in search result diversity, novelty, and reliability between the control and experimental groups. Tables in the paper presented the success rates of different search engine-browser combinations and the success rates for finding home pages and professional sites on astronomy, highlighting the impact of AI-enhanced search algorithms on search outcomes.
**Discussion:**
The implications of the study's findings for research and practice were discussed, emphasizing the potential benefits of AI-enhanced search engines in improving research efficiency and accuracy. The study also acknowledged limitations and suggested future research directions to further explore the effects of AI technology on information retrieval.
**Conclusion:**
Contrary to the anticipated benefits of AI-enhanced search engines, the findings of this study suggest that these algorithms are not serving the user's best interests. Instead of facilitating genuine exploration and discovery, search engines are manipulating user search experiences by directing them to predetermined destinations. This redirection interferes with the organic flow of information, guiding users towards selected websites rather than where they genuinely intend to go. Moreover, the current search landscape hinders the discovery of new websites without extensive investments of both effort and financial resources.
It is evident that the centralized control of search results, influenced by hidden AI and algorithms of corporations, undermines the diversity and robustness of search outcomes. The ranking fluctuations of websites, irrespective of their relevance and popularity, highlight a concerning trend where commercial interests overshadow the principle of providing users with unbiased and comprehensive search results. This phenomenon renders the quest for a truly diverse and unrestricted search experience virtually unattainable in the current search ecosystem.
The opaque mechanisms driving search engine algorithms contribute to an environment where user autonomy is compromised, and the free flow of information is restricted to favor particular entities. Consequently, the promise of an open and expansive online search space seems increasingly elusive, perpetuating a cycle where user choice and exploration are constrained by the invisible forces shaping search results.
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Conclusion to my experiments
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Lemy🗯️
I'll probably read it later
the last part is what i wrote, the rest of it was done with my AI running the experiments.
by Winky; ; Report