Social Cognition and Agency: Being Human in the Age of AI

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Social Cognition and Agency: Being Human in the Age of AI

We are pleased to announce a workshop on “Social Cognition and Agency: Being Human in the Age of AI,” which will be held at the University of Kansas’s Center for Cyber Social Dynamics. This interdisciplinary event explores the evolving relationship between human cognition, social behavior, and the growing presence of artificial intelligence in our daily lives.

Speakers: Cameron Buckner, Anna Strasser, Sven Nyholm, Eric Schwitzgabel, Caroline Arruda, Corely Maley, and Alejandro (David) Tamez. 

David Gunkel will also be included in the anthology.

Workshop Themes:

The workshop seeks to foster dialogue among philosophers of technology and AI ethicists on the following key themes:

1. AI and Human Agency:
   How does the presence of AI impact our sense of personal autonomy? What does it mean to exercise free will in environments where AI systems influence or predict human behavior?

2. Cognitive Science of Social Interaction with AI:
   How do AI systems affect human social interactions? Can AI models of cognition help us better understand human social reasoning, empathy, and decision-making?

3. AI’s Role in Shaping Social Behavior:
   How do AI-driven platforms shape communication patterns, relationships, and collective behavior? What changes in human social cognition result from interacting with AI systems?

4. Ethical Dimensions of AI and Human Agency:
   What are the ethical implications of AI systems that interfere with or amplify human agency? How can we safeguard human rights and freedoms in a world increasingly mediated by AI?

5. The Future of Social Cognition and AI:
   How might AI change the ways we perceive others and ourselves? What are the long-term implications for social learning, cognitive development, and self-perception?

6. Human-AI Interaction:
   How do AI systems shape our social behaviors, decision-making processes, and personal identities? What psychological and cognitive changes emerge in environments where AI plays a central role?

7. AI and Social Cognition:
   Can AI replicate or augment human social cognition, such as empathy, theory of mind, or emotional intelligence? What are the implications of AI that mimics human social behaviors for personal relationships and societal structures?

8. Ethics of Social AI:
   How do we navigate ethical dilemmas concerning AI’s role in human social life, including privacy concerns, surveillance, bias in algorithms, and the loss of agency?

9. AI in Communication and Media:
   How does AI influence mass communication, social media platforms, and public discourse? What is the role of AI in shaping news, entertainment, and interpersonal communication?

10. AI and Human Identity:
    How do AI technologies affect our understanding of self, agency, and autonomy?

11. Social AI in Work and Education:
    How are AI systems being integrated into professional and educational settings? 

12. Future of AI and Social Structures:
    What societal changes are likely to emerge as AI continues to evolve? How might governments, economies, and communities adapt to the rapid growth of AI technologies?

The papers should deal with social cognition and/or social agency (broadly construed).

The workshop will begin with a conversation with invited speakers on some of the abovementioned topics. It will be virtual, open to the public, and free to attend. Registration is required to attend. Register at the link provided

Submission Guidelines:

NOTE: Although the workshop is for invited speakers only, we are looking for additional authors to complete the anthology. 4 slots are available.

We invite submissions from scholars, researchers, and professionals from a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to cognitive science, psychology, philosophy, computer science, sociology, law, ethics, and education.

Submission:

• Extended Abstracts (Max 1000 words)

• Full Papers (5,000-7,000 words) - including footnotes, but not references. 

Important Dates:

• Workshop Date: 9/23/2024 - 9/24/2024

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 10/31/2024

• Notification of Acceptance: 11/15/2024

• Full Paper Submission Deadline: [03/15/2025 - Tentative on the agreement by the publishing house]

Submission Process:

All submissions should be made at [email protected]. The subject line should be: Social Agency Workshop 

Please send a Title page with the author's name, institute, academic position, contact information, and a brief bio. 

Please send your anonymized abstracts in a separate document. Failure to adhere to anonymity can result in rejection. All submissions will be peer-reviewed. 

Contact Information:

For more information regarding the conference or submission process, please contact us at [email protected] or visit

https://calendar.ku.edu/event/social-cognition-and-agency-being-human-in-the-age-of-ai?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=The+University+of+Kansas

Join us as we explore the intersection of social cognition and artificial intelligence, reflecting on what it means to be human with AI.