Confronting Misinformation Online: Law and Policy

Catalog description

This course explores the complex legal and policy challenges posed by rumors, false and misleading information, in an online environment increasingly shaped by AI. Students will examine how such content affects election integrity, public health, climate security, and the spread of inflammatory rumors during armed conflict and widespread human rights violations. The class will analyze a range of responses, including private sector content moderation practices, AI model governance, governmental regulatory efforts in the U.S. and Europe, and recent court cases. Students will engage with the tension between addressing harmful content and protecting freedom of expression. The course will also consider how advances in AI--as a generator of synthetic content, a personalized and potentially persuasive information intermediary, and a tool for moderating content--are transforming the broader online information landscape and the legal and governance frameworks that seek to govern it. Along with the faculty, guest speakers from academia and industry thought leaders will present on these topics, followed by a discussion. In addition, students will analyze real-world dilemmas confronting policymakers, platforms, AI companies, regulators, and public institutions through practical case studies. Students will assume the role of a policymaker from either the private sector, the government, or a non-governmental organization as part of each class. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments; In-School Exam. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available at TBA by 11:59pm TBA. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the class is full. Cross-listed with International Policy (INTLPOL 363).