UC Berkeley Professor Timothy Tangherlini, of the Department of Scandinavian and the School of Information, has been named one of the co-principal investigators on a groundbreaking $7.5 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense. The project, led by researchers at Indiana University, will bring together an interdisciplinary team of experts in informatics, psychology, communications, and folklore to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) influences online communication, including the spread of misinformation and radicalizing messages.
This five-year research initiative, funded by the Department of Defense’s Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), aims to assess the interplay between AI, social media, and online misinformation. The team’s findings could provide critical insights to counter foreign influence campaigns and mitigate the effects of AI-generated misinformation on public trust and societal polarization.
Professor Tangherlini's expertise in folklore and storytelling will be pivotal in exploring how sociological concepts like “resonance” shape public receptiveness to certain messages. Resonance occurs when messages align with individuals’ emotional states, cognitive biases, or cultural norms, making them more persuasive. With the rise of AI’s capacity to generate highly targeted and emotionally charged content, understanding resonance is more crucial than ever.
“This research is critical in addressing the societal threats posed by misinformation and the potential for AI to amplify its effects,” Tangherlini said. “By examining how narratives resonate and spread across diverse audiences, we aim to develop a deeper understanding of how belief systems form and evolve in the digital age.”
The project will use cutting-edge AI tools to create virtual “model agents” that simulate how information flows and impacts opinions within and across social groups. These models will provide a dynamic and holistic view of belief systems, integrating concepts from network science, social contagion theory, and cognitive psychology.
Professor Tangherlini joins co-principal investigators Yong-Yeol Ahn (lead investigator) and a team of researchers from Indiana University, Boston University, and Stanford University. The project also involves graduate and undergraduate students, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and training the next generation of scholars to tackle pressing challenges at the intersection of technology and society.
This innovative research underscores UC Berkeley’s leadership in exploring the societal implications of artificial intelligence, further solidifying its commitment to addressing urgent global challenges through interdisciplinary inquiry.