Fake News, Echo Chambers, and Algorithms: A Data Science Perspective

On Wednesday, April 23rd, Duncan Watts will discuss the “infodemic” of fake news in America. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Watts argues that fake news is relatively rare, and echo chambers on television are much larger and stickier than their online equivalents.

Communication
Computer and Information Science
Marketing

Ubiquity of Data

The Potential of Private AI Governance

In the latest episode of his podcast, The Road to Accountable AI, Kevin Werbach interviews Lauren Wagner, a builder and advocate for market-driven approaches to AI governance. Wagner shares insights from her experiences at Google and Meta, emphasizing the critical intersection of technology, policy, and trust-building.

Operations Information and Decisions

Ubiquity of Data

Exploring the Governance of Artificial Intelligence

In panels at the Penn AI Governance Workshop, faculty discussed their research in relation to key AI topics, such as AI oversight, AI policy, and the social impacts of AI. "Penn’s AI research is already impacting the world, and Penn can be a leader in engaging with the risks and challenges that AI poses,” said Kevin Werbach.

Marketing
Operations Information and Decisions

Ubiquity of Data

AI Across Disciplines Event Highlights the Power of ‘Breadth and Connectivity’ at Universities

At Amy Gutmann Hall, the Penn community gathered to formally launch the Penn AI Initiative with a panel discussion about AI research at Penn and how it has bridged divides. “It’s been amazing how the tools of AI and the language of AI are shared by so many disciplines," said Bhuvnesh Jain.

Communication
Computer and Information Science
Electrical and Systems Engineering
Operations Information and Decisions
Physics and Astronomy

Ubiquity of Data

Mystery Force Behind the Universe’s Accelerating Expansion May Not Be So Constant After All

Dark energy may not have always provided a steady push as cosmologists have assumed for decades. Instead, recent data adds more evidence that the universe’s expansion accelerated faster in the past than it is doing now. “I think the implications for cosmology are going to be profound,” said Bhuvnesh Jain.

Physics and Astronomy

Ubiquity of Data

Cary Coglianese on The Use of AI in Public Enforcement

In the most recent episode of the Computational Antitrust Podcast, Thibault Schrepel and Teodora Groza spoke with Cary Coglianese about the use of AI by public administrations and how the field of computational antitrust can benefit from administrative law insights.

Law

Ubiquity of Data

Strategies for Regulating Artificial Intelligence

Kevin Werbach and Peter Conti-Brown's series on AI Risk Management and Financial Regulation connects the dots between AI governance and financial regulation. The first in a series of contributions from their recent workshop, Cary Coglianese builds on his work to describe some options for regulating AI risks.

Law
Operations Information and Decisions
Political Science

Ubiquity of Data

Here’s How AI Has Changed the Way Penn Faculty Grade, Teach Courses

Chris Callison-Burch and Robert Ghrist spoke with The Daily Pennsylvanian about how artificial intelligence has impacted their course structures and curricula. “I think that the guiding light is that AI should not be a substitute for critical thinking,” said Callison-Burch.

Computer and Information Science
Electrical and Systems Engineering
Mathematics

Ubiquity of Data

When Personalization Feels Fake: Starbucks’ Cup Messages, AI, and the Quest for Genuine Connection

How can AI and data-driven strategies make or break the trust and loyalty many brands strive to achieve through personalization strategies? Gad Allon explores studies in marketing, psychology, and organizational behavior that underscore the importance of meaningful engagement and genuine relationships between customers and brands.

Operations Information and Decisions

Ubiquity of Data

What Is Deep Research by OpenAI?

In this short video from Penn Engineering AI, Robert Ghrist explains how OpenAI's Deep Research works, how it differs from other large language models (LLMs), and how it's a total game changer.

Electrical and Systems Engineering
Mathematics

Ubiquity of Data