News and Events

At TEDA’24: The Magic Machine, Through the Prism of Art and Science conference at the University of Cambridge, Lucy Císař Brown and Petr Špecián presented their research on "AI Oracles: Technological Re-enchantment of the World." The talk explored the evolving role of AI in society, proposing a shift in how we perceive and interact with this technology.

Key Points:

1. AI as Oracle: Lucy and Petr argued that AI systems are transitioning from tools to "digital Oracles," fundamentally changing our relationship with technology.

2. Technological Re-enchantment: Lucy and Petr proposed that AI's rise marks a reversal of Max Weber's concept of societal disenchantment, instead leading to a form of re-enchantment centered on AI.

3. AI's Mystique: The complexity and opacity of AI systems contribute to their Oracle-like status. Even for experts, the processes between input and output often remain mysterious.

4. Risks and Challenges: While acknowledging AI's potential benefits, Lucy and Petr pointed out risks such as increased isolation and the erosion of shared rational discourse.

5. Quest for Meaning: As AI takes on more and more tasks, Lucy and Petr emphasized the challenge of maintaining human agency and finding meaning in an AI-mediated world.

From the winter semester of 2024, Karina Zamrazilová and Juraj Jonáš have launched an undergraduate course at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University. 

Titled "Artificial Intelligence from the Perspective of the Humanities," it will focus on various domains where significant impact of generative AI can be expected. The course will take primarily the perspective of humanities and social sciences. However, technical aspects of GenAI will also not be neglected. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the use of AI in their daily lives as well.

Karina Zamrazilová participated in the "Training School: AI in Healthcare - Technical, Ethical and Societal Implications," which took place from 10th to 12th September 2024 at CIIRC in Prague. During the event, Karina deepened her knowledge in the field of AI LLM (Large Language Models) and their effective application in healthcare. The school also addressed the latest ethical and technical challenges associated with these technologies.

At AmKon 2024, a student simulation of the U.S. Congress held in Pilsen, Petr Špecián delivered a lecture on "Large Language Models in Democratic Society." The talk provided an overview of the current state and potential future of generative AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), and their impact on democratic processes.

Petr discussed the rapid development of generative AI, highlighting its evolution from simple text-based models to more advanced systems capable of processing and generating various media types. He emphasized the potential of these technologies to both challenge and enhance democratic institutions.

A key focus of the presentation was the concept of "digital advisors" - the use of LLMs as assistants in representative bodies. Petr explored the advantages of such systems, including immediate access to information and the ability to process large amounts of data, while also addressing potential risks such as misinformation and value imposition.

The talk concluded by considering how democratic mechanisms might adapt to incorporate these technologies effectively, stressing the importance of maintaining critical debate, diverse perspectives, and innovative approaches to information verification in the digital age.

The Conference on Educational Activities of Universities was held on September 5-6, 2024, at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague under the auspices of the Czech Ministry for Education, Youth and Sports, focusing on learning outcomes in higher education.

It featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Petr Špecián on "Generative AI and the Future of Tertiary Education." In his talk, Petr addressed the challenges and opportunities that generative AI presents for higher education. He discussed potential changes in curriculum and teaching methods, as well as the need for institutional support to adapt to this rapidly evolving technology. 

The presentation emphasized the importance of universities taking an active stance in addressing these developments to maintain educational effectiveness and societal relevance.

Petr Špecián's new preprint "Digital Homunculi: Reimagining Democracy Research with Generative Agents" is now live on arXiv.

Abstract: The pace of technological change continues to outstrip the evolution of democratic institutions, creating an urgent need for innovative approaches to democratic reform. However, the experimentation bottleneck - characterized by slow speed, high costs, limited scalability, and ethical risks - has long hindered progress in democracy research. This paper proposes a novel solution: employing generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to create synthetic data through the simulation of digital homunculi, GenAI-powered entities designed to mimic human behavior in social contexts. By enabling rapid, low-risk experimentation with alternative institutional designs, this approach could significantly accelerate democratic innovation. I examine the potential of GenAI-assisted research to mitigate current limitations in democratic experimentation, including the ability to simulate large-scale societal interactions and test complex institutional mechanisms. While acknowledging potential risks such as algorithmic bias, reproducibility challenges, and AI alignment issues, I argue that the benefits of synthetic data are likely to outweigh their drawbacks if implemented with proper caution. To address existing challenges, I propose a range of technical, methodological, and institutional adaptations. The paper concludes with a call for interdisciplinary collaboration in the development and implementation of GenAI-assisted methods in democracy research, highlighting their potential to bridge the gap between democratic theory and practice in an era of rapid technological change.

Petr Špecián's paper "Machine Advisors: Integrating Large Language Models Into Democratic Assemblies" was just published in Social Epistemology: A Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Policy (link).  The paper deals with the potential impact of using large language models (LLMs) as advisors in democratic decision-making processes. It explores how these AI systems might enhance the problem-solving capabilities of democratic assemblies by providing improved access to expertise.

The study acknowledges both the promise and challenges of this approach, discussing issues such as AI hallucinations and value alignment. Petr argues that existing democratic procedures, like deliberation and voting, could serve as effective safeguards against both human and AI advisor shortcomings. The paper also proposes innovative solutions, such as customized AI training and adversarial AI debates, to mitigate risks and maximize benefits.

Ultimately, the paper suggests that careful integration of LLMs into policymaking could significantly augment democracy's capacity to address complex social issues, potentially leading to more informed and higher-quality decisions in governance.

Petr Špecián presented his research on "Beyond the Limits: Generative AI and Synthetic Data in Democracy Research" at the ECPR General Conference 2024 in Dublin. The talk explored the potential of generative AI and synthetic data to accelerate evidence-based democratic innovation. Petr discussed the current challenges in democracy research, introduced the concept of generative agents ("digital homunculi"), and examined both the promise and pitfalls of using AI-generated synthetic data in social science research. He also provided suggestions for technical, methodological, and institutional adaptations to integrate these new approaches into democracy studies.

Karina Zamrazilová attended the "Trustworthy Human-Robot Interaction Summer School" in Bratislava, where she deepened her knowledge in the field of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) and various psychological-anthropological theories. 

Additionally, she and her team won a student project competition with their work "Do You Want to Be My Rival? Investigating the Impact of a Robot’s Behaviour on Perceived Competence and Emotion."

The AI Institutional Transformation Research Group at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, invites applications for a 2-year postdoctoral researcher position specializing in digital anthropology focusing on Generative AI (GenAI) technologies.

Details available here.

Paperwork and procedural information available here.

We invite you to submit your application the Research Administration Office at veda@fhs.cuni.cz (cc: martin.hermansky@fhs.cuni.cz). Application deadline: July 22, 2024.

We look forward to receiving your application and discussing how your expertise can contribute to our research efforts in digital anthropology and GenAI!

Jitka Špeciánová presented at the European Festival of Philosophy in Velké Meziříčí, held from June 4 to June 12, 2024. Her talk "Artificial Intelligence in Labor Markets: Threat or Opportunity?" discussed one of today's most important questions: Can new technologies and artificial intelligence take our jobs?

The lecture explored various potential developments and distinguishing between scenarios that only appear threatening at first glance and those that pose real risks. Jitka's main message was optimistic: although we face challenges, human creativity and innovation are powerful tools that can get us out of any difficult situation and whose potential is far from exhausted. While some current jobs will disappear, new ones will emerge.

Karina Zamrazilová participated in the Third Doctoral Students’ International Conference, held on June 7 and 8, 2024, at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, with her presentation on the topic "Work in the Digital Age: Utilization of AI Language Generators by Junior Doctors." In her ongoing research, she focuses on how Junior Doctors from the Czech Republic and Germany utilize various chatbots to assist with administrative tasks and even to aid in diagnostics. This is performed in a "grey area" since using chatbots in medical practice is prohibited by European laws. She approaches her research from the perspective of medical anthropology and employs ethnomethodological interviews for data collection.

Petr Špecián presented his research on "Generative AI in the Marketplace for Ideas" at the 7th International Conference on Economic Philosophy in Reims, France. In his talk, Petr explored how the rise of generative AI marks a critical juncture for the marketplace of ideas and the future of democratic institutions. He discussed generative AI as a universal cost reducer in social-epistemic tasks and examined its potential impacts on content production, dissemination, and assimilation. Petr also addressed the implications for democratic discourse, considering both the risks of misinformation and the potential for strengthening democratic processes. The presentation concluded with reflections on the critical time window we are in and possible paths forward for preserving and enhancing democracy in the age of AI.

Over the spring semester, Martin Dolský led a series of workshops focused on the effective as well as critically-minded use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude or Bard. Six session in total provided participating students from the Faculty of Humanities at the Charles University with practical knowledge and hands-on experience aimed at improving their academic performance. The workshops began with principles of effective human-machine communication and went on to explore how GenAI tools can be used to aid in various academic activities such as reading and interpreting text, developing one’s arguments, researching relevant sources, planning research projects or preparing for exams. In addition to contributing to the participants’ technological proficiency, the initiative fostered reflection and critical discussion on the ethical as well as pragmatic implications of AI use in academia.

Martin Buchtík and Klára Zajíčková from STEM Institute for Empirical Research invited Petr Špecián to talk about LLM chatbots, their use cases in social scientific research, and our reasearch group. You may listen to the podcast here (in Czech). 

Alena Ivanova has interviewed Petr about his research and views on democracy in the digital age and the expected impacts of artificial intelligence. You can find the interview here (in Czech). 

Here is how Claude 3 summarises the content:

Petr Špecián, founder of the AI Institutional Transformation Research Group, says his career trajectory changed forever after attending philosophy lectures by chance while studying international trade. His research now focuses on how institutions adapt to new technologies like large language models and their practical applications, as well as the relationship between democracy and expertise in the digital age.

Špecián notes that technological development is moving extremely rapidly compared to institutions, which adapt more slowly, creating tension. He says liberal democracy developed stably when mass media was the broadly shared information source, but the proliferation of decentralized information sources today makes it harder for people to agree on a shared reality, putting pressure on democracies.

On whether AI benefits or threatens democracy, Špecián sees a range of possible scenarios, from finding new norms leading to better democracy, to AI enabling authoritarianism or chronic stagnation. He emphasizes that AI is not value-neutral, as the corporations developing it imbue it with progressive values not everyone shares.

Špecián is interested in whether elected representatives could use AI chatbots to replace expert advisors and better ensure democratic values shape collective decisions. While AI still "hallucinates" false information, he sees good prospects for improvement. He believes people will adapt to AI-generated disinformation, though it's unclear if solutions will be centralized or decentralized.

Overall, Špecián advocates for personal experience using advanced AI systems to understand their powerful capabilities. He appreciates experimentation with alternatives to standard approaches, like replacing bachelor's theses, in the face of revolutionary technological change.

Petr Špecián and Martin Dolský have organized a worshop for the Czech thinktank České priority. They presented and discussed with the participant the current capabilites of large language models and some of their important use cases in analytical and academic work.

Petr Špecián and Lucy Císař Brown have published a short paper "Give the machine a chance, human experts ain't that great…" in the prestigious AI & SOCIETY journal. See here.

They argue that despite their flaws, large language models (LLMs) deserve a fair chance to prove their mettle against human experts, who are often plagued with biases, conflicts of interest, and other frailties. For epistemically unprivileged laypeople struggling to access expert knowledge, the accessibility advantages of LLMs could prove crucial. While concerns about LLMs' inconsistencies and arguments for human superiority are often justified (for now), they may distract from the urgent need to prepare for the likely scenario of LLMs' continued ascent. Experimentation with both the capabilities and institutional architecture of LLMs is necessary. As LLMs are here to stay and they keep improving, it is high time we started thinking about how to navigate the impending wave of their proliferation.

The upcoming International Workshop at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague, promises an enriching exploration of artificial intelligence through the lens of sociology and anthropology. Scheduled in two distinct blocks, the first, conducted in English, will feature insights from esteemed speakers like Robert Braun, Csaba Szaló, Werner Binder, Hedvika Novotná, and Martin Heřmanský, addressing topics from AI's role in the Anthropocene to digital ethnography's utility in AI studies. The second block, in Czech, will delve into AI's impact on humanities and social sciences education. Experts including Michaela Liegertová, Josef Šlerka, and Hana Kalivodová will cover AI's influence from the present to beyond a decade, offering a comprehensive view of AI's integration into various aspects of our lives and its potential future developments. This workshop is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for scholars and enthusiasts alike to engage with the multifaceted implications of AI.

Petr Špecián has presented a talk on "Reimagining Institutions through Generative AI" at the conference Meaning of Democracy organized by the Polish Academy of Sciences - Scientific Centre in Vienna, Austria.

Abstract: The talk focuses on the potential of using large language models (LLMs) as a means to strengthen democracy in the face of modern challenges. Petr argues that the integration of AI, specifically LLMs, into democratic processes can enhance collective intelligence and decision-making. LLMs, with their ability to process vast amounts of information and provide coherent responses, could surpass the limitations of human experts who are often constrained by scarcity of resources, conflicts of interest, and narrow focus. The proposed approach includes implementing institutional safeguards and starting with experimental use of LLM advisors in controlled environments to gather empirical evidence. The main message is optimistic, suggesting that the strategic use of AI can empower democracies to effectively manage contemporary issues and complexities.

Join us at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles Univesrity in examining artificial intelligence from the perspective of humanities and social sciences. The program includes a lecture on AI ethics, a workshop on using AI for research, a contest in generating AI art, a discussion hosted by a student association, and a series of short presentations mapping the impact of AI on society. Come discuss the future of the relationship between humans and technology. 

11:30 – 12:50 Soutěž v AI umění | AI Art Competition (CZ / ENG) 

13:00 – 14:20 Online workshop o etice umělé inteligence: Máme se bát AI? (CZ only) 

14:30 – 15:50 Workshop: AI in Social Sciences and Humanities Research (pouze anglicky) 

16:00 – 17:20 Diskusní hra (CZ only) 

17:30 – 19:30 FHS AI Talks: krátká vystoupení na téma AI a společnost | short talks on AI and Society (CZ | ENG) 

Petr Špecián has presented a talk on "Reimagining Institutions through Generative AI" at Computing the Human Conference in Brno.

Abstract: As AI systems grow more advanced, new possibilities emerge to utilize their generative capabilities to reimagine our institutions. It is becoming possible to integrate technology with the social sciences to develop AI-powered capabilities for institutional innovation. My talk will focus on the intriguing possibility of constructing a collaborative digital sandbox where researchers could rapidly prototype and simulate the impacts of new institutional architectures. This virtual institutional laboratory—or playground—would provide a space to experiment with novel designs optimized to answer the 21st century’s challenges. Interdisciplinary teams of social scientists, computer scientists, and government innovators would co-create this platform and populate it with imaginative institutional alternatives to be tested and refined “in silico” before their real-world deployment. Thus, when carefully directed, AI’s generative power could help design new forms of social organization and governance fit for the digital age. 

As our team is growing, so is our presence and activity on social media. You can now follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter / X and LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest news from AI Transformation. Our new team member and communications manager Karina Zamrazilová has extensive and long-standing experience in marketing and science popularization. Do not hesitate to reach out if you want to get in touch or have something interesting to share!

We are thrilled to welcome our new team members, Lucy Císař Brown and Karina Zamrazilová, both of whom bring expertise in the humanities and a keen interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence with societal issues.

Lucy, a doctoral student at Charles University's Faculty of Humanities, specializes in historical sociology. Her research explores the evolution of European societies, focusing on long-term trends in criminal prosecutions, such as gender-specific crimes and witchcraft. She is particularly intrigued by how large language models can impact social structures and the state-citizen dynamic.

Karina, also a PhD student at Charles University, is the President of the Czech Society for Cognitive Science. Specializing in socio-cultural and medical anthropology, her work revolves around European healthcare systems and the application of AI in mental health. She's also an active member of the Czech Effective Altruism Association, where she addresses AI-related ethical considerations.

Petr Špecián presented a talk "Democratizing Expertise. The Limits and Possibilities of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Democratic Decision-Making" at the ECPR General Conference 2023.

He delved into the potential of integrating large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 into democratic decision-making. While acknowledging their limitations, such as opacity and the potential for value imposition, he argued that these aren't necessarily more problematic than the shortcomings inherent in relying on human experts. If managed responsibly, LLMs could become a vital asset in democratizing expertise and thereby enhancing democratic processes.

Petr Špecián has presented a talk "Language Models for Democracy: Limits and Possibilities" at the Technology &  Sustainable Development 2023 conference at Østfold University College, Norway, investigating the potential of large language models to replace human experts as advisors to democratic assemblies.

The corresponding working paper is available here. 

We are organizing a workshop in late 2023 to showcase our research group's advancements, explore the current state of AI, and enjoy talks by renowned scholars. Stay tuned, specifics will be updated!

Join us for an interdisciplinary academic conference exploring the impact of epistemic democratization on political democracy in today's digital era. The conference is held at Prague University of Economics and Business on May 18-20. The conference program is available here.

As traditional top-down information structures make way for social media platforms, we witness a revolutionary shift in how information is shared and consumed. This transformation brings both opportunities and risks for democratic societies.

The conference will foster a discussion on the relationship between political democracy and epistemic democratization, exploring how these concepts can align. We'll examine the workable avenues of epistemic democratization within various forms of political democracy, encouraging debate and exchange of ideas.

The conference is open to the public. For registration, please see here.

Initial coordination meeting intended for those interested in the activities of our newly founded interdisciplinary research group. Held on May 17, 2023, 4 pm CET, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Prague. You may register for attendance here.