Call for papers!

Bunkers, bomb shelters, mines and mountains all play critical roles protecting against our latest existential threat: the terrifying prospect of data loss.

This study analyzes how ChatGPT portrays and describes itself, revealing misleading myths about AI technologies, specifically conversational agents based on large language models. This analysis allows for critical reflection on the potential harm these misconceptions may pose for public understanding of AI and related technologies. While previous research has explored AI discourses and representations more generally, few studies focus specifically on AI chatbots. To narrow this research gap, an experimental-qualitative investigation into auto-generated AI representations based on prompting was conducted. Over the course of a month, ChatGPT (both in its GPT-4 and GPT-4o models) was prompted to “Draw an image of yourself,” “Represent yourself visually,” and “Envision yourself visually.” The resulting data (n = 50 images and 58 texts) was subjected to a critical exploratory visual semiotic analysis to identify recurring themes and tendencies in how ChatGPT is represented and characterized. Three themes emerged from the analysis: anthropomorphism, futuristic/futurism and (social)intelligence. Importantly, compared to broader AI imaginations, the findings emphasize ChatGPT as a friendly AI assistant. These results raise critical questions about trust in these systems, not only in terms of their capability to produce reliable information and handle personal data, but also in terms of human–computer relations.

GDS organizes a festive book launch of the edited volume Governing the Digital Society: Platforms, Artificial Intelligence, and Public Values.

Dutch news channel NOS reports that the Spanish national government is taking down over 50.000 vacation rentals from online platforms. In Spain over the last few years there has been increasing dis…

One critic says Salesforce Park was designed “from the get-go” to exclude homeless people. Parkgoers don’t seem to mind.

Delve into the many aspects of what it means to live in an age of new media. You will get in-depth knowledge about new media and digital culture with more practical hands-on experience by completing a...

The Master's Open Day at Utrecht University.

The Weizenbaum Journal of the Digital Society calls for papers for a special issue marking the 60th anniversary of ELIZA, one of the first chatbots developed by Joseph Weizenbaum.

Several Dutch news outlets, like local Amsterdam news channel AT5 and National news channel NOS, report on the terrible circumstances of Indian laborers in a so-called ‘dark kitchen’ in Weesp. A da…

A few years ago i had a talented student who did an internship for Amsterdam municipality, researching the rise of super-apps and their potentials for the city. At that time I had to admit that I h…

404 Media report on a phenomenon that appears to be on the rise: the use of GenAI videos on a variety of platforms about highly politicized situations in cities for political purposes. In this case…