This roundtable discussion is provided by the IPR Behavioral Insights Research Center & IPR Digital Media Research Center
Members of the IPR Digital Media Research Center (DMRC) and the IPR Behavioral Insights Research Center (BIRC) gathered virtually to discuss disinformation and emerging technology. Two IPR Trustees moderated the discussion: BIRC member Ian Bailey and Lisa Kaplan (Alethea).
Participants discussed the latest in AI and other technologies specifically regarding dis/misinformation. The experts discussed how to effectively decrease the spread of dis/misinformation and shared best practices for getting ahead of false narratives.
Key themes from the discussion include:
1.) People mistakenly spreading disinformation create high levels of anxiety. Many organizations don’t know how to combat it, but communicators can help.
2.) Efforts to decrease the spread of disinformation include:
— Increasing lines of communication and touch points with trusted leaders.
— Creating a way to quantify the risk of misinformation and disinformation in the workplace.
3.) Higher education institutions should stay on top of emerging technology, especially AI, and address it in their curriculum:
— Many students are worried about how to prepare for AI, and what information they need to be successful post-graduation.
— Building and refining critical thinking skills were identified as the best ways to combat disinformation among students and the general public.
4.) Leaders should serve as credible and trusted sources on social media during disinformation crises.
5.) Using AI responsibly will become more commonplace but keeping a human/expert in the loop is important in discerning whether something is authentic or nefarious.
For more research and information on these topics, visit the IPR BIRC and IPR DMRC research libraries.
