Good Disruption: Episode 18 - Social Media

Social media is one of the biggest and most controversial disruptions in the last decade, arguably the last several decades. More than 5 billion people, or 62% percent of the world's population, have joined Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other platforms. These platforms are providing marketers greater visibility into consumer needs and creating more opportunities to build brand loyalty. And, they give consumers greater access to shared interest forums, critical health information, and local communities. Yet, there are serious concerns. Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the negative effects of social media on teen mental health. Algorithms, meant to create a more personalized experience, are isolating users from diverse opinions and news sources.

Mike and Yael speak with UVA Darden alum Travis Nixon (MBA '16), Machine Learning Engineer with Meta, about how we might use AI and data to redefine the user experience on social media to achieve healthier outcomes.