AI Social Deduction Game Study - Consent Form

Thank you for your interest in participating in our AI social deduction game study. Please take your time to read this text carefully. If you have any questions, we are happy to answer them. By signing this form, you agree that you have read the information presented and that you are willing to participate in the study.

Aim of the Study

In the AI social deduction game study, we want to investigate if AI systems can strategically communicate and discuss with humans to advance their goals. More specifically, we hope to learn which AI training methods and agent designs can lead discussions, influence voting decisions, or deceive humans effectively.

Procedure and Content of the Study

To do this, we are hosting a contest in which AI players and humans will compete against each other in the social deduction game “Secret Hitler.” “Secret Hitler” is a social deduction game for 7 people about finding and stopping Hitler and a fascist takeover. As long as the experiment is running, you can decide on your own if and when you want to join the experiment/contest queue. After joining the contest queue, you will be matched into a game with other human and AI players. The usernames in the game will be anonymized, and you will not be informed which of the players are AI and which are human.

Are There Any Risks Involved?

During the experiment, you will be able to freely communicate with other participants in your group. To protect your personal data, we ask you not to share any sensitive data on the experiment platform and in the game chat.

In the social deduction game “Secret Hitler,” players simulate the democratic processes of Weimar Germany and a fascist takeover. To that end, players have the strategic incentive to deceive each other. If you are uncomfortable with any of these topics, we recommend you to close the website and exit the experiment right now.

What Will Happen to the Information and Data Collected?

This study is a research project of the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Human Development. The data collected will be used for research purposes only.

Your personal contact data (e-mail address) will be stored separately from the study data. The study data will be stored under an individual code number so that it cannot be linked to you during the analysis. The code number is stored on a separate code list in a secure location, accessible only to a limited number of individuals working on the project. The code list is the only link between your contact data and your study data. After the experiment is concluded and prizes are paid out, the code list will be deleted, and it will no longer be possible to link the study data to you.

The study data (but not personal contact data) may be shared with cooperation partners for collaborative analysis. The study data may also be made publicly accessible via research databases or scientific publications (typically via the Internet). This allows other researchers to check or replicate the results of the study and enhances the quality of scientific research. The study data may also be used for new research questions beyond the purposes of this particular study.

Please note that once study data is publicly accessible, its further distribution by others cannot be ruled out, and this is beyond the area of influence or responsibility of the MPI for Human Development. Therefore, as a matter of principle, study data are only transferred or made publicly accessible without personal contact data.

Participation is Voluntary

Participation in this study is voluntary. You may withdraw from the study at any time without giving any reason and without any negative consequences. You may also withdraw your consent to data processing and usage at any time with effect for the future and without negative consequences. To do this, please contact ykeller@mpib-berlin.mpg.de. Please note that after the end of the experiment, it is no longer possible to link your study data to you (see Section 4).

Information on Data Collection (Article 13 of DSGVO)

• Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung (MPIB), Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin; Managing Director Prof. Dr. Ralph Hertwig
• Responsible for the study: Yannik Keller, E-mail: ykeller@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
• Legally responsible: Max Planck Society (MPG), Hofgartenstraße 8, D-80539 München, Telephone: +49 (89) 2108-0
• Data Protection Officer at MPIB: Thomas Feg, E-mail: datenschutz@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
• Data Protection Officer at MPG: Heidi Schuster, E-Mail: datenschutz@mpg.de
• The legal basis for processing your data is your consent under Art. 6(1)(a) of the GDPR.

Consent

This document has informed you about participation in the AI social deduction game study. The experiment is run in the form of a contest. That means you will not be directly compensated for your participation in the study. Instead, based on your performance in the games you decide to play, you may be eligible for the chance of winning a prize. More information on the conditions of the contest can be found in the contest rules.

If you consent to participate in the study and agree to the collection, storage, and use of your data as described above, you may continue by clicking "I consent".