IT and Society Lecture 10

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes the post-truth era?

Appeals to emotions and personal beliefs outweigh objective facts. (correct)

Experts are seen as the primary source of truth.

Objective facts are prioritized over personal beliefs.

Scientific evidence is always accepted without question.

What does Friedrich Nietzsche suggest about objective truth?

It is universally accepted without dispute.

It is attainable through scientific methods.

It is an absolute concept guaranteed by a higher power.

It is an outdated notion in the absence of divine authority. (correct)

How does 'perspectivism' view truth?

Truth is independent of personal beliefs or perspectives.

Truth varies based on individual perspectives and experiences. (correct)

Truth can be objectively proven through experimentation.

Only one perspective can define what is true.

What is a consequence of the post-truth environment on experts?

Experts are seen as having lost their authority. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best supports the idea of AI for Good?

AI systems that contribute positively to society. Signup and view all the answers

What motivates people to agree on commonly accepted beliefs, according to Nietzsche?

Shared emotions and collective experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary challenge in understanding the impact of misleading information?

People are more likely to trust misleading information than verified facts. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a common misunderstanding about scientific evidence in the post-truth era?

People prefer emotional narratives over scientific evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main task participants were asked to perform in the study?

Write a post on whether social media is good for society Signup and view all the answers

How many participants were involved in the research study?

1,506 Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the language model have on participants’ views?

It influenced their views based on its configuration Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant aspect represented in the brackets during the study?

The level of significance in opinion differences Signup and view all the answers

What argument did the opinionated language model specifically support?

Social media is beneficial for society. Signup and view all the answers

What was completed by participants after the writing task?

A social media attitude survey Signup and view all the answers

What does Michel Foucault suggest about the nature of truth?

Truth varies according to different regimes and ideologies. Signup and view all the answers

How does Harry Frankfurt differentiate between lying and bullshitting?

Lying requires believing in the truth; bullshitting does not. Signup and view all the answers

According to Frankfurt, what triggers the production of bullshit?

A need to communicate without adequate understanding. Signup and view all the answers

What is Foucault's viewpoint on power relationships?

Power determines who benefits and who is victimized. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'dominant discourse' imply in Foucault's theory?

The prevailing narratives that shape views and beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best summarizes Frankfurt's view on the nature of truth?

Bullshit is more detrimental to the concept of truth than lies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason people are more likely to accept simpler explanations?

People are much more willing to accept ideas they readily understand. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes confirmation bias?

The tendency to disregard evidence that contradicts one's beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

In Foucault's framework, the concept of 'doxa' refers to what?

The established norms and beliefs within a society. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which outcome does Foucault suggest about discussions on truth?

Discussions on truth reflect ongoing power struggles. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does emotional value linked to beliefs have on individuals?

It makes it difficult to change their views. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant finding of the experiments conducted by Gilbert et al. (1993)?

Load and time pressure caused subjects to believe false information was truthful. Signup and view all the answers

In Gilbert et al.'s experiments, what type of information were subjects asked to classify?

True statements from crime reports, false statements, or unrelated statements. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did cognitive load and time pressure have on subjects' decision-making in Gilbert et al.'s study?

Subjects used false information in making consequential decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Artificial Intelligence and Society

AI research has a complex history marked by cycles of optimism and skepticism.
Different approaches exist, such as modeling human behavior versus creating practical systems that deliver complex outputs.
Notable initiatives showcase AI's potential for societal benefit.

Post-truth and Alternative Facts

The concept of post-truth highlights circumstances where emotional appeals outweigh objective facts.
Characteristics include the substitution of “alternative facts” for reality and diminished authority of experts.
Society has developed a growing skepticism toward numbers, science, and technology.

Philosophical Perspectives on Truth

Friedrich Nietzsche proposed that without a divine guarantor, objective truth becomes unattainable, suggesting "perspectivism” as an alternative.
Michel Foucault argued that truth is shaped by power dynamics and ideological frameworks dictating dominant discourses.

Frankfurts' Distinction: Bullshitting vs. Lies

Lies are grounded in a belief in truth; bullshit lacks concern for truth altogether, making it a greater threat to factual integrity.
Bullshitting often arises from situations demanding speech without adequate knowledge, leading to misinformation.

Behavioral Science Insights

Factors influencing human perception include:
- Simplicity: People favor easily understandable ideas.
- Confirmation Bias: Individuals accept information that aligns with pre-existing beliefs.
- Endowment Effect: Emotional ties to beliefs hinder cognitive flexibility.

Research Findings on Influence and Credibility

Dual Processing Model by Kahneman & Tversky illustrates how human decision-making can be biased.
An experiment demonstrated that cognitive load and time pressure can lead participants to accept misinformation as truth, affecting their consequential judgments.

Recent Trends in Technology and Perception

A 2023 study illustrated how generative AI can shape opinions. Participants engaged with an AI model and altered their views on social media based on its persuasive arguments.
This research emphasizes AI's capacity to influence public opinion through narrative framing and emotional engagement.

Implications and Conclusions

The interaction of emotional beliefs with factual information underlines challenges in achieving a well-informed public.
Recognition of how power dynamics influence perceptions of truth can aid in addressing the spread of misleading information and dark patterns in digital communications.

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Description

This quiz covers Lecture 10 of IT and Society, focusing on the themes of misleading information and dark patterns in the context of digital interactions. Gain insights into how artificial intelligence influences both societal practices and user experiences. Test your understanding of these critical concepts.