Autonomy, persuasion, and manipulation in the digital sphere

Emerging information technologies like large language models and opaque recommendation systems pose challenges to public values such as democracy, privacy, and autonomy. In this theme, researchers from language studies and linguistics, communication science, computer science, law, and philosophy study the current online information ecosystem. On a fundamental level, we explore how emerging digital technologies and online practices can influence Internet users’ behavior, beliefs, and choices. At this, we focus on the steering qualities of language, interaction design, algorithms, and AI. On an applied level, we design and evaluate interventions that aim to foster citizens’ digital literacy and autonomy (e.g., help reflect on online information’s accuracy and authenticity or support deliberate decision-making). These interventions, e.g., explore novel approaches to counter misinformation and alternative information ecosystems, such as social networks based on public values. Sub-themes on our research agenda include filter bubbles, decision-support systems, recommender systems, micro-targeting, AI transparency, generative AI, trustworthy AI, AI literacy, deceptive design practices, nudging, and fake news.