Experts say social media algorithms are radicalizing users and increasing extremism in Arizona and across the country ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Michael Chertoff, a member of the National Election Integrity Council, said stronger data privacy protections could make algorithms less destructive without infringing on free speech.
“I think we can regulate access to data, use of data, and the application of algorithms to that data without violating the First Amendment,” Chertoff argued.
Chertoff noted that data is one of the most important factors when building algorithms using artificial intelligence. He argued that data collection by Big Tech companies should be better regulated, especially since it is used to send targeted and polarizing messages to consumers. According to the Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans say they have little or no trust in companies to use AI responsibly.
Farah Pandith, senior counsel at the Anti-Defamation League, said extremism and radicalization are not decreasing. She suggested that the first step to improving the situation is to make government and non-government actors aware of the seriousness of the situation and to start more dialogue, but this cannot be done on the necessary scale. He claimed that it was not done.
“We don’t see commitment as a priority area,” Pandith stressed. “It shows up in the funding needed for NGOs who are coming up with creative ways and are the first responders to all of this. It’s not reflected in how to scale up the solutions we know. .”
Pandith added that solutions are available and calls for social media platforms to take more responsibility for the inflammatory content they display.
