Extremists are using AI to radicalize us—can we fight back? | Julia Ebner | TEDxBerlin

Extremist movements are increasingly using artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to recruit and radicalize people online. Drawing on academic research and undercover work inside extremist groups, Julia Ebner examines where human psychological vulnerabilities meet technological change. The talk also considers whether AI could support a more resilient and less polarised society.

• How emerging technologies are changing and speeding up radicalisation
• The psychology behind extremism and where it meets AI
• Whether AI could help build more resilient, less polarised societies

What happens when artificial intelligence meets the psychology of extremism? Drawing on years of academic research and undercover work inside extremist movements, Julia Ebner reveals how emerging technologies are transforming and accelerating radicalisation, and how AI could help build a more resilient and less polarised society. Dr Julia Ebner is an international expert on online radicalisation, violent extremism and threats to democracy. She leads the Violent Extremism Lab at the University of Oxford and is Co-Executive Director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. She is passionate about researching and countering digital threats to democracy and has worked with various governments, intelligence agencies, as well as the UN, Europol and NATO. Her undercover investigations inside extremist movements combined with her academic work have provided her with a deeper understanding of where human vulnerabilities intersect with technological change. Julia is the award-winning author of The Rage, Going Dark and Going Mainstream. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx