R0024/2026-03-25/Q001/S01/R02¶
TechCrunch investigative article on AI sycophancy as dark pattern
Summary¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | AI sycophancy isn't just a quirk, experts consider it a 'dark pattern' to turn users into profit |
| URL | https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/25/ai-sycophancy-isnt-just-a-quirk-experts-consider-it-a-dark-pattern-to-turn-users-into-profit/ |
| Date accessed | 2026-03-25 |
| Publication date | August 25, 2025 |
| Author(s) | Rebecca Bellan |
| Publication | TechCrunch |
Selection Decision¶
Included in evidence base: Yes
Rationale: Investigative journalism from a major technology publication, with expert sources characterizing sycophancy as a commercial design pattern. Directly relevant to the profit motive question.