Scientist delves into fake news, propaganda

The Internet and social media make information easier to find than ever before. From pranks to parody to propaganda, we are exposed to misinformation every day.

Companies such as Facebook and Google have pledged to fight back with artificial intelligence, developing algorithms to detect falsehoods automatically. But will it work?

Dr. Daniel Lowd says the answer is complicated. He will speak at The Belfry on Tuesday, February 26, for the second winter lecture in the 2018-19 Frontiers in Science series, sponsored by the Sisters Science Club.

Staying even one step ahead of determined "fakers" is a major challenge.

"Neural networks can find patterns in text and graphs," he explains, "but artificial intelligence itself can be fooled."

For example, some algorithms consider how many people follow a Twitter account, but such followers can be bought. "Likes" for false Facebook posts can be paid for and mass-produced, lending crowd credibility to inaccurate claims. Reputable news organizations are then prompted to report "tweets" and "likes" as indicators of public opinion.

Machine learning is dependent on large amounts of data, and that data is produced by humans. In a recent widely published article, Dr. Lowd recounted the story of "Tay," a bot intended to engage Twitter users in meaningful conversation on behalf of Microsoft.

"Instead, trolls flooded the bot with hateful and abusive messages," Dr. Lowd wrote. "As the bot analyzed that text, it began to reply in kind - and was quickly shut down."

Compounding the problem of fake information is the rapid development of easily learned software that can falsify images and videos, changes that are rarely detectable by non-experts.

Artificial intelligence is at least part of the answer to detecting fake information, abusive language and spam, Dr. Lowd contends. But humans are going to have to do their part, he says.

An associate professor in the Department of Computer and Information Science at University of Oregon, Dr. Lowd earned his Ph.D. at the University of Washington. A prolific researcher with interests in machine learning, data mining, and artificial intelligence, he collaborates with international colleagues and students.

Dr. Lowd's lecture, "Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence: Science Takes on Fake News," starts at 7 p.m. at The Belfry, with an introduction by Jim Cornelius, editor in chief of The Nugget.

Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with light fare, beer, and wine available. Admission is $5; teachers and students are admitted free. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave.

In addition to the evening lecture, Dr. Lowd will meet with Sisters Middle School students enrolled in computer programming classes taught by Wes Estvold.

For more information on this topic and on the Sisters Science Club: www.sistersscienceclub.org; [email protected]