Harvard Professor Warns of Free Speech Crisis on the Internet Caused by Addictive AI and Social Media

Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig discusses the free speech crisis on the internet caused by AI and social media. He argues these technologies aim to maximize user engagement rather than serve democracy.

Lessig says the addictive nature of platforms like TikTok poses threats, including foreign influence in elections. He advocates for protecting democracy by moving some functions like deliberation offline.

The First Amendment makes it difficult to regulate speech online, so some bypass it through copyright claims. Lessig warns against overzealous copyright regulation of AI systems.

AI text generators will soon produce convincing fake content at scale, further jeopardizing truth. Lessig suggests regulations like banning campaign spending on AI content.

While concerned about technology's impacts, Lessig remains optimistic we can reinvent social media and democracy. He promotes citizen assemblies as one method of constructive deliberation.