Description:

Speaker:

Ziv Epstein, Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, Stanford University

Title:

Re-Inventing the Attention Machine

Abstract: 

Modern AI systems - such as LLMs and feed algorithms on social media - are algorithmic amplifiers that uplift certain voices and perspectives. But whose perspectives? In this talk, I will argue that human attention is the key bridge to understanding how we shape these AI amplifiers and how they shape us. In particular, I will argue that AI systems are training on a particular ground truth that is mediated by human attention and as a result is hill-climbing on attentional noise. To what extent is training data transformed by attention? Can we measure it? And can we shift attention to make more deliberate training data? I will discuss ways to measure attentional drift in AI systems, as well as prosocial tools to align behavior and values, and ongoing attempts to embed values into these AI amplifiers explicitly. These projects point to a new way of designing sociotechnical systems for prosocial outcomes, by moving away from attention economies and towards attention ecologies.

Speaker Bio:

Ziv Epstein is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. In his research, he focuses on translating insights from design and the social sciences into the development of sociotechnical systems such as generative AI and social media platforms. Ziv has published papers in venues such as the general interest journals Nature, Science and PNAS , as well as top-tier computer science proceedings such as CHI and CSCW. His work has also received widespread media attention in outlets like the New York Times, Scientific American, and NPR. 

Location:

In person: Chambers Hall, 600 Foster Street, Lower Level
Remote option: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/98518429787
Passcode: NICO2024

Calendar:

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About this Seminar:

NICO welcomes everyone to join us at this AI focused Thursday afternoon seminar. Visit us at nico.northwestern.edu for information about other seminars and NICO sponsored events.