Technology, Propaganda, and the Limits of Human Intellect

TL;DR

The paper discusses the challenges of misinformation and propaganda in the digital age, emphasizing that technological solutions alone are insufficient and highlighting the importance of education, ethics, and trusted institutions.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive view on combating misinformation, stressing the need for ethical policies, education, and active citizen engagement alongside technological tools.

Findings

Technology alone cannot solve misinformation.

Ethical policies and education are essential.

Active citizen engagement is crucial.

Abstract

"Fake news" is a recent phenomenon, but misinformation and propaganda are not. Our new communication technologies make it easy for us to be exposed to high volumes of true, false, irrelevant, and unprovable information. Future AI is expected to amplify the problem even more. At the same time, our brains are reaching their limits in handling information. How should we respond to propaganda? Technology can help, but relying on it alone will not suffice in the long term. We also need ethical policies, laws, regulations, and trusted authorities, including fact-checkers. However, we will not solve the problem without the active engagement of the educated citizen. Epistemological education, recognition of self biases and protection of our channels of communication and trusted networks are all needed to overcome the problem and continue our progress as democratic societies.