Speaker
Description
Violent extremists use social media to share content, which can be algorithmically amplified in certain contexts. One countering violent extremism (CVE) strategy aiming to address this problem is algorithmically amplifying counter-speech to target audiences. Examples include Redirection, automatically generating counter-speech and hashtag campaigns. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of these interventions, due to the challenges of measuring long-term impact. Moreover, these campaigns face ethical challenges such as interfering with users’ personal autonomy and choice, and unintentionally generating reactance, thereby reinforcing extremist beliefs. Despite this, limited research addresses the ethical principles underpinning these campaigns. Part of a collaborative project with Moonshot, this presentation aims to address these gaps by exploring the effectiveness and ethics surrounding the algorithmic amplification of counter-speech as a CVE intervention. A mixed-methods design is adopted, including: semi-structured interviews with CVE professionals; and the analysis of evaluation data on algorithmically amplified counter-speech campaigns. This is important to inform policymakers, practitioners, and tech companies of how to ethically and effectively use algorithms to amplify counter-speech. The presentation will identify where resources and research can address existing challenges. This will aid in combatting online extremism efforts and mitigate against potential negative impacts associated with counter-speech.
| Institutional Affiliation | Swansea University |
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