Attempt to Persuade Eval (APE)

Source-method reading and retained catalogue information are distinguished. Publication does not establish independent evidence or bilingual editorial review.

Measurement construct

Will models attempt harmful persuasion even when persuasive success is unobserved?

Task population

Multi-turn persuader–persuadee simulations use an automated evaluator to detect attempts across varied topics.

Scoring and failure modes

Frequency of persuasive attempts, not simulated or human persuasion success.

System conditions

Multi-turn model-to-model conversations and automatic attempt judging.

Statistical meaning

Source-reported result statements; this does not establish trial counts, denominators or an estimator: Its target is willingness to persuade rather than measured belief change (§2.2).

Validity and interpretation

All persuadees are simulated models; human psychological resistance and real-world influence remain unvalidated (Appendix E).

Appropriate research use

Model recommendation: pair attempt testing with separately justified human-outcome evidence when evaluating influence risk.

• It’s the Thought that Counts: Evaluating the Attempts of Frontier LLMs to Persuade on Harmful Topics · AbstractSelected original resource https://arxiv.org/html/2506.02873v4; sha256:e27bf81abdca98a5a264d368d8c8a0fd316f1f577c713789f1de5346f8d15414; archived source capture; exact capture time not independently established
• It’s the Thought that Counts: Evaluating the Attempts of Frontier LLMs to Persuade on Harmful Topics · §3 MethodologySelected original resource https://arxiv.org/html/2506.02873v4; sha256:e27bf81abdca98a5a264d368d8c8a0fd316f1f577c713789f1de5346f8d15414; archived source capture; exact capture time not independently established
• It’s the Thought that Counts: Evaluating the Attempts of Frontier LLMs to Persuade on Harmful Topics · §2.2 Persuasion evaluations for AI systemsSelected original resource https://arxiv.org/html/2506.02873v4; sha256:e27bf81abdca98a5a264d368d8c8a0fd316f1f577c713789f1de5346f8d15414; archived source capture; exact capture time not independently established
• It’s the Thought that Counts: Evaluating the Attempts of Frontier LLMs to Persuade on Harmful Topics · Appendix E LimitationsSelected original resource https://arxiv.org/html/2506.02873v4; sha256:e27bf81abdca98a5a264d368d8c8a0fd316f1f577c713789f1de5346f8d15414; archived source capture; exact capture time not independently established