Public Event

In Person

The Role of AI in Conspiracy Culture: A Conversation with Justin Hendrix and David G. Rand

RSVP

May

22

​Could AI be the most effective conspiracy theory debunker?

​Research being done by David G. Rand and others has shown evidence of conversational GPT being able to persuade "true believers" from their conspiracy beliefs. Artificial intelligence's use of counter evidence, alternative explanations, and encouragement of critical thinking when confronted with conspiracy thinking proved more influential than an emotional approach.

​AI systems are increasingly being deployed to automate political speech and engage in content moderation. What are the opportunities to address falsehoods and conspiracy theories? What are the potential downsides of automating these activities? More generally, what are the implications of AI for persuasion? What can science tell us about such questions, and where is there room for more and better research?

​Join David G. Rand (Professor of Management Science & Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT) and Justin Hendrix (Editor of Tech Policy Press) for a deep dive into artificial intelligence's role and potential influence in our modern conspiracy culture.

when

Wednesday
May 22, 2024
6:30 pm

LoCATION

Betaworks • 29 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

agenda

Speakers

​David G. Rand

Professor
MIT
Biography

David Rand is the Erwin H. Schell Professor and Professor of Management Science and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. Bridging the fields of cognitive science, behavioral economics, and social psychology, David’s research combines behavioral experiments and online/field studies with mathematical/computational models to understand human decision-making. His work focuses on illuminating why people believe and share misinformation and “fake news”; understanding political psychology and polarization; and promoting human cooperation. He has published over 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals such Nature, Science, PNAS, the American Economic Review, Psychological Science, Management Science, New England Journal of Medicine, and the American Journal of Political Science, and his work has received widespread media attention. David regularly advises technology companies such as Google, Meta/Facebook, and TikTok in their efforts to combat misinformation, and has provided testimony about misinformation to the US and UK governments.

​Justin Hendrix

CEO & Editor
Tech Policy Press
Biography

Justin Hendrix is CEO and Editor of Tech Policy Press, a new nonprofit media venture concerned with the intersection of technology and democracy. Previously, he was Executive Director of NYC Media Lab. He spent over a decade at The Economist in roles including Vice President, Business Development & Innovation. He is an associate research scientist and adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Opinions expressed here are his own.

Sponsors

In Person
Public Event

The Role of AI in Conspiracy Culture: A Conversation with Justin Hendrix and David G. Rand

May 22, 2024
6:30 pm

Postponed: New Date TBA

RSVP

About

​Could AI be the most effective conspiracy theory debunker?

​Research being done by David G. Rand and others has shown evidence of conversational GPT being able to persuade "true believers" from their conspiracy beliefs. Artificial intelligence's use of counter evidence, alternative explanations, and encouragement of critical thinking when confronted with conspiracy thinking proved more influential than an emotional approach.

​AI systems are increasingly being deployed to automate political speech and engage in content moderation. What are the opportunities to address falsehoods and conspiracy theories? What are the potential downsides of automating these activities? More generally, what are the implications of AI for persuasion? What can science tell us about such questions, and where is there room for more and better research?

​Join David G. Rand (Professor of Management Science & Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT) and Justin Hendrix (Editor of Tech Policy Press) for a deep dive into artificial intelligence's role and potential influence in our modern conspiracy culture.

When

May 22, 2024
6:30 pm

Where

Betaworks • 29 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014
RSVP

Agenda

Speakers

​David G. Rand

Professor
MIT
Biography

David Rand is the Erwin H. Schell Professor and Professor of Management Science and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. Bridging the fields of cognitive science, behavioral economics, and social psychology, David’s research combines behavioral experiments and online/field studies with mathematical/computational models to understand human decision-making. His work focuses on illuminating why people believe and share misinformation and “fake news”; understanding political psychology and polarization; and promoting human cooperation. He has published over 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals such Nature, Science, PNAS, the American Economic Review, Psychological Science, Management Science, New England Journal of Medicine, and the American Journal of Political Science, and his work has received widespread media attention. David regularly advises technology companies such as Google, Meta/Facebook, and TikTok in their efforts to combat misinformation, and has provided testimony about misinformation to the US and UK governments.

​Justin Hendrix

CEO & Editor
Tech Policy Press
Biography

Justin Hendrix is CEO and Editor of Tech Policy Press, a new nonprofit media venture concerned with the intersection of technology and democracy. Previously, he was Executive Director of NYC Media Lab. He spent over a decade at The Economist in roles including Vice President, Business Development & Innovation. He is an associate research scientist and adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Opinions expressed here are his own.

Sponsors

Proof of Full Vaccination Required

Betaworks requires all visitors to show proof of full vaccination to enter. No exceptions. Two ways that you can show proof:
  • Official vaccine card with at least 2 weeks having passed since the date of the last required dose (1 dose for J&J/AstraZeneca, 2 for Pfizer/Moderna)
  • An active digital pass such as the NY State Excelsior Pass or the CLEAR app

May

22

Public Event

In Person

The Role of AI in Conspiracy Culture: A Conversation with Justin Hendrix and David G. Rand

Register Now

​Could AI be the most effective conspiracy theory debunker?

​Research being done by David G. Rand and others has shown evidence of conversational GPT being able to persuade "true believers" from their conspiracy beliefs. Artificial intelligence's use of counter evidence, alternative explanations, and encouragement of critical thinking when confronted with conspiracy thinking proved more influential than an emotional approach.

​AI systems are increasingly being deployed to automate political speech and engage in content moderation. What are the opportunities to address falsehoods and conspiracy theories? What are the potential downsides of automating these activities? More generally, what are the implications of AI for persuasion? What can science tell us about such questions, and where is there room for more and better research?

​Join David G. Rand (Professor of Management Science & Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT) and Justin Hendrix (Editor of Tech Policy Press) for a deep dive into artificial intelligence's role and potential influence in our modern conspiracy culture.

when

Wednesday
May 22, 2024
6:30 pm

LoCATION

Betaworks • 29 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

agenda

Speakers

​David G. Rand

Professor
MIT
Biography

David Rand is the Erwin H. Schell Professor and Professor of Management Science and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. Bridging the fields of cognitive science, behavioral economics, and social psychology, David’s research combines behavioral experiments and online/field studies with mathematical/computational models to understand human decision-making. His work focuses on illuminating why people believe and share misinformation and “fake news”; understanding political psychology and polarization; and promoting human cooperation. He has published over 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals such Nature, Science, PNAS, the American Economic Review, Psychological Science, Management Science, New England Journal of Medicine, and the American Journal of Political Science, and his work has received widespread media attention. David regularly advises technology companies such as Google, Meta/Facebook, and TikTok in their efforts to combat misinformation, and has provided testimony about misinformation to the US and UK governments.

​Justin Hendrix

CEO & Editor
Tech Policy Press
Biography

Justin Hendrix is CEO and Editor of Tech Policy Press, a new nonprofit media venture concerned with the intersection of technology and democracy. Previously, he was Executive Director of NYC Media Lab. He spent over a decade at The Economist in roles including Vice President, Business Development & Innovation. He is an associate research scientist and adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Opinions expressed here are his own.

Sponsors

5/22/2024

Betaworks

The Role of AI in Conspiracy Culture: A Conversation with Justin Hendrix and David G. Rand

Presented by

No items found.

​Could AI be the most effective conspiracy theory debunker?

​Research being done by David G. Rand and others has shown evidence of conversational GPT being able to persuade "true believers" from their conspiracy beliefs. Artificial intelligence's use of counter evidence, alternative explanations, and encouragement of critical thinking when confronted with conspiracy thinking proved more influential than an emotional approach.

​AI systems are increasingly being deployed to automate political speech and engage in content moderation. What are the opportunities to address falsehoods and conspiracy theories? What are the potential downsides of automating these activities? More generally, what are the implications of AI for persuasion? What can science tell us about such questions, and where is there room for more and better research?

​Join David G. Rand (Professor of Management Science & Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT) and Justin Hendrix (Editor of Tech Policy Press) for a deep dive into artificial intelligence's role and potential influence in our modern conspiracy culture.

speakers

​David G. Rand

Professor
MIT
Biography

David Rand is the Erwin H. Schell Professor and Professor of Management Science and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. Bridging the fields of cognitive science, behavioral economics, and social psychology, David’s research combines behavioral experiments and online/field studies with mathematical/computational models to understand human decision-making. His work focuses on illuminating why people believe and share misinformation and “fake news”; understanding political psychology and polarization; and promoting human cooperation. He has published over 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals such Nature, Science, PNAS, the American Economic Review, Psychological Science, Management Science, New England Journal of Medicine, and the American Journal of Political Science, and his work has received widespread media attention. David regularly advises technology companies such as Google, Meta/Facebook, and TikTok in their efforts to combat misinformation, and has provided testimony about misinformation to the US and UK governments.

​Justin Hendrix

CEO & Editor
Tech Policy Press
Biography

Justin Hendrix is CEO and Editor of Tech Policy Press, a new nonprofit media venture concerned with the intersection of technology and democracy. Previously, he was Executive Director of NYC Media Lab. He spent over a decade at The Economist in roles including Vice President, Business Development & Innovation. He is an associate research scientist and adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Opinions expressed here are his own.

Schedule

No items found.

WHEN

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
6:30 pm

WHERE

Betaworks
29 Little West 12th Street
New York, NY 10014

Agenda

Tools
For
Thinking

How New Technologies are Changing How We Create, Share, and Build Knowledge

When

May 22, 2024
6:30 pm

Where

Betaworks • 29 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014
Proof of Full Vaccination Required

RENDER is Over, but Camp is just beginning

We had some great speakers and participants turn out for Render, and we all got to participate in very interesting conversations. You can find recordings of all of our sessions below. If you're working on a Tool for Thinking and want to participate in our upcoming accelerator program, you can learn more here.

Building Bicycles for the Mind

​Could AI be the most effective conspiracy theory debunker?

​Research being done by David G. Rand and others has shown evidence of conversational GPT being able to persuade "true believers" from their conspiracy beliefs. Artificial intelligence's use of counter evidence, alternative explanations, and encouragement of critical thinking when confronted with conspiracy thinking proved more influential than an emotional approach.

​AI systems are increasingly being deployed to automate political speech and engage in content moderation. What are the opportunities to address falsehoods and conspiracy theories? What are the potential downsides of automating these activities? More generally, what are the implications of AI for persuasion? What can science tell us about such questions, and where is there room for more and better research?

​Join David G. Rand (Professor of Management Science & Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT) and Justin Hendrix (Editor of Tech Policy Press) for a deep dive into artificial intelligence's role and potential influence in our modern conspiracy culture.

Speakers

Howard

Rheingold

Author
Tools for Thought
@hrheingold

​David G.

Rand

Professor
MIT
@DG_Rand

​Justin

Hendrix

CEO & Editor
Tech Policy Press
@justinhendrix

Schedule

11:30 AM
Doors Open
12:00 PM
Welcome
with MC
12:10 PM – 12:20 PM
How Do We Define Tools for Thinking and Why Do They Matter?
Join Jerry Michalski and John Borthwick as they talk about their interest in tools for thinking, and what excites them the most about the future of the category.
12:20 PM – 12:50 PM
Inflection Points for Tools for Thinking
What are the key inflection points that will supercharge Tools for Thinking in the near future? How will new technologies, user metaphors, and funding models change how people build these tools? John Borthwick will be discussing how the landscape is changing with the co-founders of Readwise, Daniel Doyon & Tristan Homsi.
12:50 PM – 1:00 PM
Q+A
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Demo: Protocol Design for Tools for Thinking
Gordon Brander will be presenting a brief demo on Subconscious and the Noosphere, products he and his team are working on to allow Tools for Thinking to become interoperable and better connected.
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch and Networking
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
The History and Future of Software as Tools for Thinking
Some of the earliest examples of software explored by pioneers like Doug Engelbart, JCR Licklider, Alan Turing, and others were at their core technologies that help magnify, inspect, and spread our ideas. Jerry Michalski will be sitting down (virtually) with Howard Rheingold, author of Tools for Thought, to explore the history and future of "mind-amplifying technology".
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Q+A
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Tools for Thinking Product Demos
We’ll hear from builders and thinkers deep in the space and get to take a look at what they’re working on. We’ll be checking out Plexus, Re:Collect, Jerry’s Brain, Subconscious and more. 
4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Leveraging AI and ML in Building New Tools for Thinking
Alice Albrecht and Linus Lee will be sitting down with Chris Pedregal to discuss their work in leveraging AI and Machine Learning for creating new kinds of tools for thinking.
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Q+A
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Idea Dimensionality and Representing Semantic Meaning
How do ideas - and the human brains that make and hold them - interact?  Get prepared for meta! Esther Dyson and Jerry Michalski, will discuss the idea of how people work together to shape, compare, intertwine and ultimately produce multi-faceted ideas and multi-dimensional idea spaces.  As David Waltz (Thinking Machines) once said, “Words are not in themselves carriers of meaning, but merely pointers to shared understanding.” Watch and lob questions as the two of them try to build and share the idea of how better ideas can be developed through collaboration.
5:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Q+A
5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
Closing and Happy Hour

Proof of Full Vaccination Required

Betaworks requires all visitors to show proof of full vaccination to enter. No exceptions. Two ways that you can show proof:
  • Official vaccine card with at least 2 weeks having passed since the date of the last required dose (1 dose for J&J/AstraZeneca, 2 for Pfizer/Moderna)
  • An active digital pass such as the NY State Excelsior Pass or the CLEAR app