Seven minutes with a chatbot reduced conspiracy beliefs more than fact sheets in two experiments
The study involved a representative US sample following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July 2024. Half of participants had heard the event was staged within a week. The findings suggest chatbots may be more effective than traditional fact-checking methods.
A study conducted by Cornell researchers found that a brief seven-minute interaction with a chatbot significantly reduced conspiracy beliefs compared to traditional fact sheets. The research was based on two experiments, one following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July 2024 and another after the murder of far-right activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025. Both experiments tested the effectiveness of chatbots in countering misinformation during times of crisis.
The first experiment took place within a week of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July 2024. About half of a representative US sample had heard the event was staged. Researchers used this context to evaluate how different interventions—chatbots versus fact sheets—impacted participants' belief in conspiracy theories. The results showed that chatbots were more effective in reducing these beliefs.
In the second experiment, researchers examined the aftermath of the murder of far-right activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025. The study found that chatbots were more effective than fact sheets in reducing conspiracy beliefs, even when theories about Mossad involvement were circulating. The chatbot's conversational approach appeared to be more engaging and persuasive in countering misinformation.
The implications of this research are significant for the development and deployment of AI tools in public communication. While chatbots show promise in reducing conspiracy beliefs, their use raises questions about cost, governance, and the potential for vendor lock-in. As chatbot technology continues to evolve, it will be important to balance effectiveness with ethical considerations and transparency in AI interactions.
The study highlights the potential of chatbots as a tool for countering misinformation, but it also underscores the need for further research and responsible implementation. As the technology advances, stakeholders must consider how to integrate chatbots into broader efforts to combat conspiracy theories without compromising user trust or privacy. The findings suggest that chatbots could play a key role in shaping public discourse during times of crisis.