COMM Colloquium: Samuel Woolley, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
September 11, 2020
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Title: The International Struggle with Digital Disinformation: Problems and Solutions in the Face of Computational Propaganda
Abstract: Online disinformation stormed the U.S. political process in 2016 and has only worsened since. Yet as Samuel Woolley shows in his new book The Reality Game, this phenomena has deep roots in earlier international cases of political misuse of social media systems. As we struggle to respond to the problems at hand, Woolley argues that we most also focus on the manipulation of public opinion through emergent technology: humanlike automated voice systems, “deepfake” videos , virtual reality, and more. Woolley describes the profound impact these technologies are beginning to have on our lives with an eye towards how each new invention built without regard for its consequences edges us further into digital authoritarianism. In response, Woolleyargues for a new culture of innovation–one built around accountability and transparency, human rights and democracy.
Date posted
Apr 16, 2020
Date updated
Apr 16, 2020
Speakers
