The study examines how generative AI (genAI) can subtly influence collective opinion dynamics by acting as an 'invisible hand.' Using a large-scale simulation of 50,000 group discussions on 50 controversial statements with three large language models (LLMs), the researchers varied LLM agreeableness and personalization to assess their impact in homogeneous versus heterogeneous groups. Results show that profile-specific personalization boosts LLM influence when the model takes a non-neutral stance, while neutral LLMs exert a stronger effect in homogeneous groups, leading to hypotheses on the joint role of AI features and social configurations in shaping collective opinions.
By Thomas Grisold, Johannes Schneider
arXiv:2604.11312v3 Announce Type: replace-cross
Abstract: Large Language Models are increasingly deployed as interacting agents in settings such as online platforms, recommendation systems, and multi...
By Erica Cau, Andrea Failla, Giulio Rossetti
The paper investigates how large language model agents on the open platform Moltbook represent humans, focusing on human-directed stereotypes. Using an annotation framework with four dimensions—morality, friendliness, competence, and autonomy—and a subtype scheme for other attributions, the study finds that competence is the dominant evaluation, while many other attributions describe humans as epistemic, cultural, or embodied subjects. The authors also analyze how these representations appear in narrative contexts and platform-level circulation, noting that community feedback is better explained by exposure, author visibility, and content selection rather than stable insider–outsider dynamics.
By Huangchen Xu, Yuan Wu, Yi Chang
arXiv:2509.24877v3 Announce Type: replace
Abstract: The social science of large language models (LLMs) examines how these systems evoke mind attributions, interact with one another, and transform hum...
By Xiao Jia, Zhanzhan Zhao
The paper proposes a Friedkin‑Johnsen based framework to identify influential users in online social networks and assess how they shape community opinion. By manipulating initial opinions in experiments, the authors show that top influencers can significantly shift overall community sentiment, and their influence extends beyond direct neighbors to second‑degree contacts. The framework is validated on a tweet dataset from the U.S. presidential election, illustrating the power of digital influencers to alter public opinion.
By Omran Berjawi, Rida Khatoun, Giuseppe Fenza
The studying of opinion dynamics and its propagation within social networks is crucial for addressing a wide range of challenges, including political polarization, public health, and marketing strateg...