Algorithmic extremism? The securitization of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on radicalism, polarization and political violence

Burton, Joe

doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102262

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…These findings are consonant with Burton’s (2023) argument that far-right content is so prevalent in algorithmic services that entire far-right influencer communities are growing within them. To combat extremist content and misinformation, in 2021, TikTok took several measures to address aggressive falsehoods concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Algorithmic Personalization and Online Radicalizationsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Social media platforms are facilitating the spread of divisive information online at a rapid rate and potentially fueling political instability and societal extremism (Burton, 2023). The algorithms are exceptionally good at identifying what they think would keep users viewing content on the service, even if users do not yet know what they are interested in or need (Yesilada & Lewandowsky, 2022).…”

Section: Feedback Loops and Echo Chambers: How Algorithms Amplify Vie...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Algorithmic radicalization is the idea that algorithms on social media platforms drive users toward progressively more extreme content over time, causing them to develop extremist societal and political views (Burton, 2023). Using a longitudinal approach, Ribeiro et al (2020) found that YouTube plays a role in radicalizing people by exposing them to far-right ideologies through an alt-right pipeline.…”

Section: Algorithmic Personalization and Online Radicalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Algorithms written by data-rich platforms such as TikTok and YouTube can actively create a loop that features specific content in pursuit of user engagement. While increased user engagement can be beneficial in promoting entertainment or sports, health content, news information, and political views, this type of personalization could lead to harmful societal consequences (Burton, 2023), such as the proliferation of extremism, filter bubbles, and rabbit holes.…”

Section: Algorithmic Personalization and Online Radicalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As recommendation algorithms are embedded in the manner in which platforms operate, social media platforms progressively draw people into conspiracy theorist groups or those geared toward illicit online activity (Burton, 2023; Mancosu & Vegetti, 2021). Conspiracy theories explain societal issues or events as the result of a secret plot by powerful conspirators (Faddoul et al, 2020).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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How Algorithms Promote Self-Radicalization: Audit of TikTok’s Algorithm Using a Reverse Engineering Method

Shin,

Jitkajornwanich

2024

Social Science Computer Review

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Algorithmic radicalization is the idea that algorithms used by social media platforms push people down digital “rabbit holes” by framing personal online activity. Algorithms control what people see and when they see it and learn from their past activities. As such, people gradually and subconsciously adopt the ideas presented to them by the rabbit hole down which they have been pushed. In this study, TikTok’s role in fostering radicalized ideology is examined to offer a critical analysis of the state of radicalism and extremism on platforms. This study conducted an algorithm audit of the role of radicalizing information in social media by examining how TikTok’s algorithms are being used to radicalize, polarize, and spread extremism and societal instability. The results revealed that the pathways through which users access far-right content are manifold and that a large portion of the content can be ascribed to platform recommendations through radicalization pipelines. Algorithms are not simple tools that offer personalized services but rather contributors to radicalism, societal violence, and polarization. Such personalization processes have been instrumental in how artificial intelligence (AI) has been deployed, designed, and used to the detrimental outcomes that it has generated. Thus, the generation and adoption of extreme content on TikTok are, by and large, not only a reflection of user inputs and interactions with the platform but also the platform’s ability to slot users into specific categories and reinforce their ideas.

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Section: Algorithmic Personalization and Online Radicalizationsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Feedback Loops and Echo Chambers: How Algorithms Amplify Vie...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Algorithmic Personalization and Online Radicalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Algorithmic Personalization and Online Radicalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

How Algorithms Promote Self-Radicalization: Audit of TikTok’s Algorithm Using a Reverse Engineering Method

Shin,

Jitkajornwanich

2024

Social Science Computer Review

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To Become an Object Among Objects: Generative Artificial “Intelligence,” Writing, and Linguistic White Supremacy

de Roock

2024

Reading Research Quarterly

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This paper critically explores the implications of generative artificial “intelligence” (GAI) technologies for literacy theory and practice through a case study of the author's use of OpenAI's ChatGPT. The study opens with an overview of recent literature surrounding the pedagogical implications of using GAI with a focus on issues of racial justice, outlining an abolitionist political ecology approach to literacy that extends relational theories of mediation to machine‐aided writing. The framework is then applied to data from a cognitive autoethnography of GAI use over a 6‐month period, which included a digital ethnography of ChatGPT and an extended semistructured “interview” with the GAI chatbot. Racial justice issues were found, especially linguistic and other biases. As such, soon‐to‐be ubiquitous artificial intelligence (AI) technologies require profound reconsideration of the productive value of literacy exploited by GAI, which will inevitably be pursued through an acquiescence or fundamental rupture with the dystopian visions of the technology's creators.

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Artificial Intelligence in the Media Economy: A Systematic Review of Use Cases, Application Potentials, and Challenges of Generative Language Models

Prien,

Goldhammer

2024

Handbook of Media and Communication Economics

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Algorithmic extremism? The securitization of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on radicalism, polarization and political violence

Cited by 12 publications

References 27 publications

How Algorithms Promote Self-Radicalization: Audit of TikTok’s Algorithm Using a Reverse Engineering Method

How Algorithms Promote Self-Radicalization: Audit of TikTok’s Algorithm Using a Reverse Engineering Method

To Become an Object Among Objects: Generative Artificial “Intelligence,” Writing, and Linguistic White Supremacy

Artificial Intelligence in the Media Economy: A Systematic Review of Use Cases, Application Potentials, and Challenges of Generative Language Models

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