Decoder with Nilay Patel

Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig on why AI and social media are causing a free speech crisis for the internet

Oct 24, 2023

Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard professor and expert on free speech and the internet, discusses the crisis of disinformation on the internet and the challenges it poses to democracy. Topics include AI algorithms, social media manipulation, speech regulation, and copyright lawsuits against generative AI companies.

54:49

Episode guests

Lawrence Lessig

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Quick takeaways

AI-powered recommendation algorithms on social media platforms prioritize sensationalism and conspiracy theories, leading to the rampant spread of misinformation.

The intersection of copyright and AI poses challenges for content creators and platforms, highlighting the need for a clear legal framework that navigates fair use and protects rights while preventing exploitative practices.

Finding a balance between protecting free speech and addressing harmful content on social media platforms is a complex challenge for governments worldwide.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Misinformation on Social Media

The podcast episode explores the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation on the internet and its harmful impact on individuals and democracy. It discusses how AI-powered recommendation algorithms on social media platforms feed users content that drives engagement, often prioritizing sensationalism and conspiracy theories. The episode highlights the challenges of regulating speech on the internet due to strong protections under the First Amendment. It also delves into the sophisticated use of AI for generative content that amplifies misinformation and the need to protect democratic processes from these manipulative algorithms.

The Power of Building a Positive Brand and Engaging an Audience

01:55

Lab's Acquisition of Virtual Deliberation Platform for Democratization and Open Source

01:22

The Importance of First Amendment in Speech Regulations

01:08

The Influence of Media and Social Networks in Perpetuating Lies

00:53

Introduction

6min

Studying the Future of Social Media

11min

The Impact of AI Algorithms and Misinformation on Social Media Platforms

5min

Challenges of AI Algorithms on Social Media Platforms

4min

Regulating Speech and Technology Platforms

10min

AI Developers and the Challenges of Generative AI

3min

The Wave of Copyright Lawsuits Against Generative AI Companies

17min

Acknowledgements and Sponsorship

2min

Today, I’m talking to internet policy legend Lawrence Lessig. He's been teaching law for more than 30 years, and is a defining expert on free speech and the internet — and something of a hero of mine, whose works I've been reading since college.

You’ll hear us agree that the internet at this moment in time is absolutely flooded with disinformation, misinformation, and other really toxic stuff that’s harmful to us as individuals and, frankly, to our future as a functioning democracy. But you’ll also hear us disagree a fair amount about what to do about it. The First Amendment, AI, copyright law — there's a lot to unpack here.

Links:

https://asml.cyber.harvard.edu/

https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/10/17/1081194/how-to-fix-the-internet-online-discourse/

https://www.protocol.com/facebook-papers

https://www.tiktok.com/@aocinthehouse/video/7214318917135830318?lang=en

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/sensitive-claims-bias-facebook-relaxed-misinformation-rules-conservative-pages-n1236182

https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/repetition-lie-truth-propaganda/

https://www.theverge.com/23883027/alvarez-stolen-valor-first-amendment-kosseff-liar-crowded-theater

https://fortune.com/2023/05/30/sam-altman-ai-risk-of-extinction-pandemics-nuclear-warfare/

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/intellectual_property_law/publications/landslide/2019-20/september-october/into-fandomverse/

Transcript: https://www.theverge.com/e/23693274

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