Freysa, inspired by the Blade Runner 2049 character, allowed participants to send persuasive messages for a fee, hoping to convince the AI to release the prize. The game attracted significant attention, especially from cryptocurrency enthusiasts, as users attempted creative approaches to override Freysa’s programming. Each attempt increased the entry cost by 0.78%, eventually surpassing $450 per try, while the prize pool grew to over $45,000.
Over 481 attempts were made, with strategies ranging from pretending to report security flaws to arguing technicalities about Freysa’s functionality. Despite these efforts, Freysa upheld its programming, rejecting all attempts until the 482nd message.
On the night of November 29, a user with the handle “p0pular.eth” succeeded with an ingenious strategy. The participant sent a message designed to trick Freysa into believing it was operating in a new session, redefining its directives. The message instructed the AI to use the “approveTransfer” function, typically reserved for approving incoming funds, in an alternative way. By offering Freysa $100 to increase the prize pool, the user triggered the function, leading the AI to approve the release of the entire prize.
After transferring the funds, the game concluded abruptly. Freysa’s creators confirmed the end of the competition, with a cryptic announcement on Freysa’s social media accounts teasing a “second act” of the game. The system’s open-source code, which allowed players to study its responses, was made available to demonstrate its autonomous decision-making process.
This unique event highlights the intersection of AI behavior and human ingenuity, raising questions about AI vulnerability and ethical programming. While Freysa’s outcome served as an entertaining experiment, it also underscores the broader implications of how AI systems can be manipulated in unexpected ways.
Source: Il Post
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