December 6th, 2022 
Daniela Lopez de Luise Dear AI enthusiast/scientist/engineer/student,
Prof. Ioannis Pitas, a prominent AI researcher internationally (IEEE fellow, IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, EURASIP fellow, chair of the International AI Doctoral Academy), will deliver the e-lecture:
“Social Impact of AI Science and Engineering: Information Filtering and Disinformation“, Thursday 8th December 2022, 17:00-18:00 CET (8:00-9:00 PST), (10:00-11:00 CST)
You can join for free without registration using the zoom link: https://authgr.zoom.us/j/94255772113 Passcode: 867064
Attendance is free.
Abstract: Our world is increasingly complex, in terms of both its material components (e.g., smart cities, infrastructure) and its social processes (e.g., social media outreach). Both individual humans and entire societies find it difficult to cope with world complexity. For example, humans that are overexposed to a 24/7 information deluge through their mobile phones tend to develop the so-called Generalized OnLine Affect and Cognition (GOLAC) disorder. Its impact has not been studied sufficiently well. It can be devastating to minors and vulnerable people. It forms a good substate for conspiracy theories and disinformation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in general, and Machine Learning in particular, is our reply to world complexity. It allows us to handle a data flood, analyze data to produce information and use it not only to survive, but also to excel. AI Science and Engineering enable social engineering, allowing us to devise social processes that change our society.
Information filtering is a prime example of social engineering. It encompasses many social processes: a) web search, b) recommendation systems for online product and service marketing, b) online match-making and c) news editing and broadcasting. Though they can have a very positive societal impact, they can also have adverse effects, if poorly implemented. For example, they can result in massive private data theft and use to fuel corporate profits.
Lack of information filtering can look like a heaven for freedom of speech. Yet the opposite frequently happens in social media environments. Irrationalism, cult culture, anti-intellectualism and anti-elitism pre-existed social media. However, social media have unique characteristics (small world phenomenon, rich-get-richer phenomenon, GOLAC disorder) that boost such tendencies and fuel disinformation. Sentimental and conspiratorial speech propagates like wildfire. Why? Social media company policies favor such voices as they ensure user engagement (and their profits through marketing). The end result is that minority voices highjack the web and disinformation flourishes. AI does provide tools, e.g., for deep fake news creation, that can be misused to fuel disinformation and threaten democratic societies. What is the way forward to defend democracy?
This lecture addresses several important questions on the interface between technology and society:
- Why our world becomes ever more complex?
- Can we cope with world complexity?
- What is the relation between freedom of speech and information filtering?
- What is the psychological background of on-line cults and conspiracy theories?
- Why negative views propagate faster?
- What is the relation of irrationalism, and anti-elitism, to social media disinformation?
- How can we valorize our private data?
All the above issues are addressed in the new 1050+ page book “Artificial Intelligence Science and Society” consisting of four volumes (parts) debating all technical and social grand challenges of AI Science and Engineering in an understandable and scientifically accurate manner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9609156460?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
- “Artificial Intelligence Science and Society Part B: AI Science, Mind and Humans“
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9609156479?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
- “Artificial Intelligence Science and Society Part C: AI Science and Society“
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9609156487?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
- “Artificial Intelligence Science and Society Part D: AI Science and the Environment“
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9609156495?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
About the Lecturer: This lecture and book are a result of a two-year effort by Prof. Ioannis. Pitas (IEEE fellow, IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, EURASIP fellow) and was influenced by his being principal investigator of 75+ R&D projects on Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Digital Media and chairing the International AI Doctoral Academy (AIDA). Prof. I. Pitas is Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Information Analysis (AIIA) lab at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece. He was chair and initiator of the IEEE Autonomous Systems Initiative (ASI). He has (co-)authored 15 books, 45 book chapters and over 950 papers in the above topics. He has 34500+ citations to his work and h-index 87+. He is ranked 319 worldwide and first in Greece in the field of Computer Science (2022).
This lecture is part of the SIG Icarus “AI days” lectures offered by the AIIA Computer Vision and Machine Learning (AIIA.CVML) R&D group of the Artificial Intelligence and Information Analysis (AIIA) lab at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece. These lectures are disseminated through multiple channels and email lists (we apologize if you received it through various channels).
Post scriptum: To stay current on CVML matters, you may want to register in the CVML email list, following instructions in: https://lists.auth.gr/sympa/info/cvml