This talk highlights the innovations in digital sociology and ethnography, where we pursued dual objectives: immersing in a Telegram radical community and deradicalizing an extremist group using AI technologies, specifically GPT-3.5. The methodology leverages classic chatbots, enhanced by advanced algorithms, to quantitatively measure the success of the deradicalization process. Integrating qualitative ethnographic observation and quantitative computational methodologies, my approach employs AI as virtual ethnographers to engage with the radical community. Notably successful, it stimulated debate and polarization, prompting internal discussions on potentially harmful actions. Consequently, some members exited, leading to the group’s shutdown by the administrator.
Interacting on social networks can be problematic and delicate, both for ethical and practical reasons, since the way we engage with others can influence their decisions—often without them even realizing it. That’s why it’s so important to think about the ethics and boundaries of these interactions. I’ll discuss about collecting data with or without authorization, their use depending on the type of interaction and the social environment, but also the role and limitations of the ethics committee. Plus, I will share some of my personal experiences that tie into all of these topics.
Andrea introduced the concept of propaganda and its role in influencing behavior, from political regimes to online platforms. He combined ethnographic observation and AI to study how propaganda shapes online communities, observing shifts in group dynamics and polarization.
After Andrea’s talk, we explored the role of ethics committees and the complexities of data collection. He shared his experiences navigating these challenges, offering practical insights into conducting ethical research in digital spaces, especially when working with sensitive data.
He emphasized how ethical considerations shape the scope and direction of research projects, highlighting the balance between protecting participants and ensuring ethical guidelines don’t become barriers that limit the potential of valuable research.
