Research Summary by Luke Thorburn, a PhD student at King’s College London, where he works on the design of algorithms to mitigate conflict risks. [Original paper by Aviv Ovadya and Luke Thorburn]
The Montreal AI Ethics Institute explores strategies to mitigate societal polarization exacerbated by online platforms. Researchers Aviv Ovadya and Luke Thorburn propose bridging systems—mechanisms designed to transform divisive conflicts into opportunities for constructive dialogue by fostering mutual understanding and trust across divides.
The article introduces bridging-based ranking as an alternative to traditional engagement-driven algorithms. Instead of amplifying polarizing content, these systems prioritize content that receives positive feedback from diverse audiences, encouraging creators to consider varying perspectives. The authors discuss methods to quantify bridging, including surveys, classifiers, and metrics assessing the state of conflict or polarization.
Key challenges in implementing bridging systems include defining societal divides, preventing unintended consequences, avoiding manipulation, balancing competing objectives, and ensuring democratic and inclusive design. While algorithmic solutions alone cannot address all societal conflicts, they offer a promising pathway to reduce divisiveness and promote healthier public discourse on social media.
The piece underscores the importance of ongoing research, real-world testing, and ethical considerations in creating a more inclusive digital ecosystem.
Read the full article: https://montrealethics.ai/bridging-systems-open-problems-for-countering-destructive-divisiveness-across-ranking-recommenders-and-governance/