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Artificial intelligence and freedom of expression: implications

for democracy

The use of algorithms in digital media to personalise content has important implications for the democratic role of the
media. EU-funded research is helping to ensure that these powerful new tools are harnessed for the benefit of society as a
whole.

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Diversity is one of the core principles of democratic participation in society. Thus, new technological innovations which affect the ways in
which we receive information online are naturally giving rise to questions and concerns. Like other online services, European newsrooms
are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools and data analytics to personalise news to match the interests and previous online behaviour of
their readers.

This can be extremely helpful in managing information overload, for example, by providing a more tailored service for both users and
advertisers. It does, however, also raise some concerns about the potential of algorithmic bias to exacerbate cultural and social prejudices
and create filter bubbles or echo chambers.

The PERSONEWS project, funded by the European Research Council, is one of the first to examine, in depth, the impact of algorithmic news
recommendations for both users and news media providers. It is shedding important light on how much we should really be concerned and
what safeguards and innovations we can put in place to ensure the ongoing protection of freedom of expression and media diversity.

‘We are at a really transformative moment in time and there is a lot of interest in how AI algorithms could change the media we know. We
want to look at how we can best use this new technology to enhance the democratic role of news media rather than undermine it,’ says
principal investigator, Professor Natali Helberger of the Institute for Information Law at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Maintaining diversity

The PERSONEWS project is combining legal and empirical research to answer many of the questions raised by the use of news
recommendation algorithms. Through extensive user surveys and working closely with European newsrooms, technical experts and
regulators, the project has been able to develop new tools and guidance. This will help to inform the work of both policymakers, on the one
hand, and journalists, editors and quality information providers on the other.

‘There are a lot of challenges for journalists and editors in figuring out how to deal responsibly with the power that algorithms give us. We
have learnt that they face the same questions as we researchers and we have been working closely with them to think about what new
“smarter” algorithms might look like that are able to generate more diverse recommendations whilst, at the same time, respecting user
privacy,’ Helberger explains.

‘We now have the prototype of a tool that helps evaluate the diversity of recommendations, which is in a testing phase in Germany,’ she
continues. ‘We have also developed a theory which provides a framework to better assess the opportunities and threats of new
recommendation algorithms, which has been well received.’

PERSONEWS is also one of the first projects to look specifically into the legal aspects and fundamental rights questions raised by
personalised news and to what extent there are gaps in the legal framework and how they should be dealt with.

Although surveys among user groups revealed a generally high level of acceptance by users, who can see the potential benefits, they also
indicated that people want more agency and have concerns around privacy and diversity. The conclusion is that users must be offered
clear choice and control in order to maintain trust.

Concerns about the creation of filter bubbles have been directly addressed and demonstrated that this very much depends on how smart
the methods being used are.

‘The real issue lies more with the power imbalance between the traditional news media and social media platforms,’ Helberger believes.
‘On social media platforms, algorithms are used to engage people, drive advertising value and keep people on the site. There is a
fundamental difference between social media and news media. News media have a democratic role to play and need to reflect on how to
use technology to fulfil this mission.’

Overall, PERSONEWS is playing an important role in developing directions for future media law and policy in response to the impact of AI
and algorithms on media markets. The research carried out so far has contributed significantly to the debate about the regulation of
platforms and has put forward concrete suggestions for future policy. In particular, it highlights the need for public-sector support for
innovation in the media sector to create a level playing field and to ensure that true diversity continues to be protected and nurtured.

Project details

Project acronym: PERSONEWS


Project number: 638514
Project coordinator: Netherlands
Project participants: Netherlands
Total cost: 1479515
EU Contribution: 1479515
Project duration: August 2015 to May 2021

See also
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/638514

View the article online


https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/ensearch-and-innovation/en/projects/success-stories/all/artificial-intelligence-and-freedom-
expression-implications-democracy

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