I think it's very likely this kind of optimization is giving people want they "will" want, instead of what they "do" want.
If you ask a heroine user if they want to use, I suspect most will say no.
But if you A/B test their behavior and build a product based on what they actually do, you're going to start selling more heroin and encourage more heroin use.
If you ask a heroine user if they want to use, I suspect most will say no.
But if you A/B test their behavior and build a product based on what they actually do, you're going to start selling more heroin and encourage more heroin use.
To everyone's detriment.