Attention is no longer a fair fight. One of AI's most harmful aspects is its ability to manipulate content to capture and hold attention. As evidenced by "doom-scrolling," social media platforms use infinite scrolling and auto-play features to grab and hold attention. [i] AI can dynamically manipulate content to maximize engagement, challenging the traditional notion of voluntary attention allocation.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are notorious for deploying manipulative tactics to capture and retain attention against users' will. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to develop strategies to mitigate its negative impact on attention spans and promote mindful digital consumption. (See Addiction Intelligence for a darker version of manipulating attention.)

(See Addiction Intelligence)

[i] Learn more about what is doomscrolling and it’s harmful effects. [https://health.clevelandclinic.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-doomscrolling-and-how-to-avoid-it]