School of Information 5th Annual Ethics and Technology Forum

About the Talk
With the U.S. presidential election within days of our Annual Ethics and Technology Forum, we are pleased to have Dr. Samuel Woolley speak with us about the role of information and communications technology in democracies and elections. His book, Manufacturing Consensus, explores the ways in which social media and automated tools such as bots have become global mechanisms for creating illusions of political support or popularity. He discusses the power of these tools for amplification and suppression of particular modes of digital communication, expanding on Herman and Chomsky’s (1988) integral work on propaganda. Building on this 2023 book, his talk will present his latest research and thinking on this timely topic.

About Samuel Woolley
Samuel Woolley is the inaugural William S. Dietrich II Endowed Chair in Disinformation Studies and an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Pittsburgh. His research is focused on how emergent technologies are used in efforts to manipulate global communication processes. His internationally recognized work on computational propaganda—the use of automation, AI, and algorithms in attempts to manipulate public opinion online—has revealed the ways in which a wide variety of groups around the world leverage social bots, artificial intelligence, and coordinated armies of influencers to control the flow of information during pivotal events.

About the Ethics & Technology Forum
As New York evolves to become a major tech hub, and more students seek employment in technology companies, the School of Information must not only teach the knowledge and skills students need, but also imbue students with an ability to be critical, reflective, and thoughtful about their role and their employers’ roles in the world. The annual School of Information Ethics and Technology Forum brings thought leaders to discuss the most pressing issues on this topic with the Pratt Institute community. Past speakers include Meredith Broussard, Tim Wu, Sherry Turkle and Cliff Kuang.

Welcome By
Anthony Cocciolo, Dean of the School of Information at Pratt Institute.

Introduced By
Frances Bronet is the 12th President of Pratt Institute.

Talk followed by wine and hors d’oeuvre reception.

This event is open to the public.