Digital Democracy Sphere
A forum for ETH researchers across disciplines studying democracy in the digital age.
Join us for a new iteration of the Digital Democracy Sphere seminar series with Prof. Paulo de Freitas Castro Fonseca (Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil):
Generative AI and the Social Production of Ignorance: moving beyond hegemonic ethical framings of disinformation
When: Thursday, April 25, 13:30 - 15:00 (lunch served from 13:00; discussion begins 13:30)
Venue: ETH Zürich, Stampfenbachstrasse 69, Floor F seminar room 11
We will be discussing ethics of AI and disinformation around the work conducted and currently in development by Paulo. The seminar will be based on the following readings (do reach out if you need access), and the abstract below:
- Paulo F. C. Fonseca, Barbara E. Ribeiro & Leonardo F. Nascimento, “Demarcating Patriotic Science on Digital Platforms: Covid-19, Chloroquine and the Institutionalisation of Ignorance in Brazil”, Science as Culture, 2022: external page https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09505431.2022.2105691
- James M. White & Rolf Lidskog, “Ignorance and the regulation of artificial intelligence”, Journal of Risk Research, 2022: external page https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13669877.2021.1957985
external page Registration by Tuesday, April 16 for lunch.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you!
Abstract:
This seminar delves into the nuanced intersections of disinformation, ignorance, and AI ethics, drawing on research into the Brazilian far-right's disinformation campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that the complexity of disinformation and ignorance, particularly in the Global South, extends beyond current regulatory frameworks for AI, which fail to capture the full spectrum of AI's societal impacts. The presentation contends that AI technologies do not merely operate within the realms of known and unknown risks but actively participate in the creation and perpetuation of ignorance. By selectively amplifying or silencing information, AI systems can obscure knowledge and reinforce ignorance zones, impacting societal understanding and decision-making processes. The seminar critically examines the limitations of hegemonic AI ethics frameworks, highlighting their inadequacy in addressing the multifaceted roles AI plays in shaping social ignorance, from direct contributions to disinformation to subtler influences on cultural visibility and worker de-skilling. By integrating insights from the case study on disinformation strategies and extending the critique to AI's broader societal roles, this seminar offers a comprehensive perspective on the challenges of governing AI.
Bio:
Dr. Paulo F. C. Fonseca, holding a foundational Bachelor’s in Physics and a Ph.D. in Sociology focused on the Social Impacts of Science and Technology, is an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil, within the Institute of Science, Technology, and Innovation (ICTI). He is also engaged in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Culture and Society. His academic journey includes a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) program at Harvard University. Currently, as a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra, Dr. Fonseca's research is focused on the societal implications of generative AI for the Global South, employing a critical and interdisciplinary approach.