MIT Faculty Explore Ethical and Social Implications of Computing in TED Talk-Style Presentations

MIT faculty recently presented 15 TED Talk-style presentations at the MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium, discussing pioneering research that integrates social, ethical, and technical considerations, all funded by Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) seed grants. The symposium, held on May 1, spotlighted four key themes: responsible health-care technology, artificial intelligence governance and ethics, technology in society and civic engagement, and digital inclusion and social justice. The event aimed to foster a communal discussion on the future of ethical computing and showcased projects that tackle some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of technology and society. One notable presentation focused on making the kidney transplant system fairer. Dimitris Bertsimas, the Boeing Professor of Operations Research, introduced an innovative algorithm that optimizes the allocation of kidneys based on criteria like geographic location, mortality, and age. Traditionally, creating and implementing policies for organ transplants take months or years, but Bertsimas' algorithm completes the analysis in just 14 seconds. This significant improvement in efficiency allows for quicker evaluation and adjustment of policy scenarios, potentially saving lives on the waiting list. The algorithm has been tested and praised by James Alcorn, a senior policy strategist at UNOS, a nonprofit managing the national donation and transplant system. Alcorn noted that the rapid turnaround time has revolutionized their ability to improve the system for transplant candidates. Another critical discussion centered on the ethics of AI-generated social media content. Adam Berinsky, Mitsui Professor of Political Science, and Gabrielle Péloquin-Skulski, a PhD student, explored the implications of disclosing that posts are AI-generated. Through surveys and experiments, they found that labeling AI-generated images with process-oriented descriptions reduced users' belief in both false and true information, which could inadvertently spread misinformation. They concluded that a more effective approach might be to combine process and veracity labels, ensuring that users can distinguish between genuine and fabricated content. Lily Tsai, Ford Professor of Political Science and director of the MIT Governance Lab, along with Alex Pentland, Toshiba Professor of Media Arts and Science, and a broader team, addressed using AI to enhance civil discourse online. Online deliberative platforms have gained traction in the U.S., both in the public and private sectors, but they face challenges such as information overload and uncivil behavior. The team’s project, DELiberation.io, integrates generative AI to improve the quality of online discussions. They aim to assess the positive downstream outcomes of their technology, rather than merely increasing user numbers. The platform is currently being tested in labs and will soon move to field studies, starting with a partnership in Washington, D.C. Tsai emphasized the importance of evaluating whether technologies have beneficial effects on society, not just popularity metrics. Catherine D’Ignazio and Nikko Stevens, from the Data + Feminism Lab, discussed the creation of Liberatory AI, a public think tank that challenges the conventional AI landscape. Initially, they proposed a framework for integrating community methods and participatory design. However, their project evolved into a collaborative effort involving 25 researchers from diverse disciplines and institutions. These researchers produced over 20 position papers, categorized into three themes: the corporate AI landscape, dead ends, and ways forward. Liberatory AI advocates for contesting the status quo, thinking holistically, and reorganizing resources to drive societal transformation. D’Ignazio highlighted the proactive stance they are taking, instead of passively waiting for major tech companies to involve them in product development. Industry insiders view the symposium as a pivotal step towards advancing ethical computing. The diversity of research and the interdisciplinary approach underscore MIT's commitment to addressing complex technological and societal challenges. SERC's initiatives, driven by leading figures like co-associate deans Nikos Trichakis and Caspar Hare, reflect a broader trend in academia and industry to incorporate social and ethical dimensions in technology development. By funding bold and creative endeavors, MIT is fostering innovation that could have profound impacts on health care, social media, civic engagement, and digital equity. This event also demonstrated the potential of think tanks like Liberatory AI to influence policy and practice, advocating for a more inclusive and responsible technological future.