AI and Behavioral Science in Public Policy with Laura de Molière

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Feb 6, 2025

Laura de Molière, a behavioral scientist with extensive experience in public policy, shares her insights from her time at the UK Cabinet Office. She discusses the innovative use of AI in enhancing decision-making and the challenges of balancing AI's capabilities with human biases. Laura reveals her transformative moment with large language models and their potential in behavioral insights. The conversation dives into synthetic users for testing interventions, plus playful debates on AI applications like tax optimization and gamified urinals. It's an engaging mix of policy, science, and humor!

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ANECDOTE

Laura's AI Aha Moment

Laura de Moliere's "aha" moment with AI came when using ChatGPT.
She explored how policymakers could improve their reasoning with behaviorally informed AI.

INSIGHT

AI's Evolution

Laura de Moliere found AI's professional application less developed than anticipated.
However, she uses it personally, like analyzing WhatsApp transcripts for self-reflection.

ADVICE

Effective AI Use

Avoid generic AI queries for better results, focus on small, consistent interactions.
Apply this professionally and personally; prompting skills are transferable.

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AI and Behavioral Science in Public Policy with Laura de Moliere

In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, host Samuel Salzer is joined by Laura de Moliere, a behavioral scientist with deep expertise in applying behavioral insights to public policy. As the former head of behavioral science at the UK Cabinet Office, Laura has worked at the intersection of behavioral science and policymaking during some of the most high-stakes moments in recent history, including Brexit and COVID-19.

Samuel and Laura explore the evolving role of AI in behavioral science, reflecting on how AI can enhance decision-making, improve policymaking, and surface unintended consequences. Laura shares her AI “aha moment”—when she realized the potential of large language models to support policymakers in making more behaviorally informed decisions.

The discussion also covers the promises and perils of AI in behavioral science, the potential of synthetic users to test interventions, and the growing challenge of balancing AI’s capabilities with human biases and policymaking needs. The episode wraps up with a playful quickfire round, where Laura debates the use of AI in everything from tax optimization to gamified urinals.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, behavioral science, and public policy, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on the future of AI in decision-making.

LINKS:

• Laura de Moliere:

• LinkedIn Profile

• INCASE Framework on Unintended Consequences

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 A Surprise Gift

05:38 Reflections on 2025

09:28 AI and Behavioral Science

19:29 Introducing Laura de Moliere

21:30 Start of Laura interview

33:08 Applying Behavioral Science to AI and Government

35:16 Behavioral Science and AI: Use Cases and Impacts

36:32 Understanding and Interacting with AI Models

47:43 Synthetic Users and Their Potential

01:01:08 Quickfire Round: To AI or Not to AI

01:06:35 Controversial Opinions on AI

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