R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Will AI Drive Human Kindness In Our Online Future?

The Buzz: “For better and for worse, robots will alter humans’ capacity for altruism, love, and friendship…‘hybrid systems’—where people and robots interact socially—the right kind of AI can improve the way humans relate to one another” (theatlantic.com). “The internet acts like a kind of digital-fuelled alcohol, freeing us to say things to strangers that we would never dare to say if we met them” (bbc.com). “Being a good online citizen is more than being a safe Internet user—it’s about being responsible, smart, and having respect for yourself and others” (goguardian.com). In our global pandemic, more people are online more than ever– working, learning, meeting from home. Are they always nice to each other? No, continuing a pre-Covid-19 trend. We’ll ask Frank Diana, Prof. John H. Shannon, Ruchin Kansal and Kevin Benedict if AI, machine learning and other technologies will boost humans’ civility and respect online and offline? And will a “New Nice” last?