Jonathan Stray | AI Can Make Conflict Worse or Better
Jonathan Stray, a senior scientist at UC Berkeley’s Center for Human‑compatible AI, warned that while AI can foster cooperation, it can also intensify conflict when embedded in polarized environments. He highlighted how AI‑driven social‑media algorithms and large language models (LLMs) may amplify divisive narratives, especially around the 2024 U.S. election. Stray presented early experiments testing alternative platform algorithms and "politically neutral" LLM outputs, showing modest reductions in user polarization. The work offers a preview of how AI could shape future political and social conflict dynamics.
Tom Schnaubelt | Becoming a Citizen in the Age of Algorithms
Tom Schnaubelt, director of the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions, addressed Stanford’s Tech Impact and Policy Center on what it means to be a citizen when algorithms dominate information flows. He framed the discussion around democratic citizenship, civic identity, and...