Illustration of an AI chat window balanced on scales of justice against an international human rights law document, with users and a shield

Digital Hate Review: Generative AI and Free Speech: The Importance of International Human Rights Law

Posted on by Natalie Alkiviadou in AI, Digital Regulation, Global Free Speech, Hate Speech, Journal, Online Content Moderation, Publications

By Natalie Alkiviadou Introduction Generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly becoming embedded within everyday communication, information access, research, education, and public discourse. Tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and Meta AI are widely used by the public. Crucially, these systems function as intermediaries through which millions of users search for information, summarize material, […]

Illustration of community clusters linked through a woven network to a social media feed, with scales and a subscription icon

arXiv: Community by Design

Posted on by Jacob Mchangama in Digital Regulation, Journal, Online Content Moderation, Publications, Tools for Empowerment

By E. Glen Weyl, Luke Thorburn, Emillie de Keulenaar, Jacob Mchangama, Divya Siddarth, and Audrey Tang Abstract Social media empower distributed content creation by algorithmically harnessing “the social fabric” (explicit and implicit signals of association) to serve this content. While this overcomes the bottlenecks and biases of traditional gatekeepers, many believe it has unsustainably eroded […]

Illustration of an AI brain examining social media speech bubbles with a magnifying glass, beside scales of justice and a shield

SUR International Journal on Human Rights: Artificial Intelligence and Online Hate Speech Moderation

Posted on by Natalie Alkiviadou in AI, Digital Regulation, Global Free Speech, Hate Speech, Journal, Publications

By Natalie Alkiviadou Abstract Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by social media platforms to tackle online hate speech. The sheer quantity of content, the speed at which it is developed and growing state pressure on companies to remove hate speech quickly from their platforms have led to a tricky situation. This commentary argues that […]

“That Violates My Policies”: AI Laws, Chatbots, and the Future of Expression | 2026 Edition

Posted on by Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, Isabelle Anzabi, Jacob Mchangama, Ashkhen Kazaryan, Dr. Eliza Bechtold, Emmanuel Vargas Penagos, Francesca Chocano Villanueva, Katalin Kelemen, Lina Palacios, Matías González Mama, Sandi Rizvic, Tomiwa Ilori, Trịnh Hữu Long and Yaman Akdeniz in AI, Digital Regulation, Featured Publications, Global Free Speech, Online Content Moderation, Publications, Reports

In the 2026 edition of our report, we explore how public governance of generative artificial intelligence (AI) shapes the space for free expression and access to information. Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022, generative AI has moved from a novelty to a tool embedded in everyday communication and information access. As its reach has […]

The Future of Free Speech’s Comment to the FTC on AI Proposed Policy Statement

Posted on by Ashkhen Kazaryan in Consultation responses, Digital Regulation, First Amendment, Publications

Comments to the Federal Trade Commission RE: Proposed Policy Statement Concerning the Suppression of Accuracy in Artificial Intelligence Systems AI Policy Statement; Matter No. P264200 July 30, 2026 The Future of Free Speech is an independent, nonpartisan think tank located at Vanderbilt University. We work to reaffirm freedom of expression as the bedrock of free […]

The Future of Free Speech’s Joint Comment to the FCC on Calls for Early License Renewal of Disney’s ABC Stations

Posted on by Ashkhen Kazaryan in Consultation responses, Digital Regulation, First Amendment, Publications

Comments to the Federal Communications Commission RE: In the Matter of Early License Renewal Applications of Disney’s ABC Stations MB Docket No. 26-131 July 29, 2026 I. Introduction The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken the almost unprecedented step of requiring eight Disney owned ABC stations to renew their broadcast licenses years before they were […]

The Future of Free Speech’s Joint Comment to The FCC on Petition to Declare ‘The View’ Bonafide News Interview Program

Posted on by Ashkhen Kazaryan in Consultation responses, Digital Regulation, First Amendment, Publications

Comments to the Federal Communications Commission RE: In the Matter of the Media Bureau Seeks Comment on Petition by Disney’s ABC Asking the FCC to Declare that The View Qualifies as a Bona Fide News Interview Program and Thus Is Exempt from the Statutory Equal Opportunities Requirements MB Docket No. 26-124 June 18, 2026 The […]

International Conference on Machine Learning: AI Usage Policies Should Be Aligned with International Human Rights Law

Posted on by Jordi Calvet-Bademunt in AI, Digital Regulation, disinformation, Journal, Online Content Moderation, Publications

By Jordi Calvet-Bademunt Abstract Concerns about misinformation and disinformation are central to debates on the governance of generative AI services, yet guidance on when and how providers should restrict mis/disinformation while respecting freedom of expression remains underdeveloped. AI usage policies are a primary mechanism of user guidance and, in practice, operate as a form of […]

The Future of Free Speech’s Comment to The FCC on Inquiry into Warning Labels for LGBTQ Content

Posted on by Ashkhen Kazaryan in Consultation responses, Digital Regulation, First Amendment, Publications

Comments to the Federal Communications Commission RE: In the Matter of Further Empowering Parents to Protect Their Children and Make Informed Choices About TV Programs Their Children Watch MB Docket No. 19-41 May 21, 2026 The Future of Free Speech is an independent, nonpartisan think tank located at Vanderbilt University. We work to reaffirm freedom […]

That Violates My Policies: AI Laws, Chatbots, and The Future of Expression

Posted on by Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, Jacob Mchangama, Isabelle Anzabi, Ge Chen, Sangeeta Mahapatra, Kyung Sin (K.S.) Park, Carlos Affonso Souza, Jacob Shapiro, Kevin T. Greene and Carlos Olea in AI, Digital Regulation, Featured Publications, Global Free Speech, Online Content Moderation, Publications, Reports

Executive Summary Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the way people access information and create content, pushing us to consider whether existing frameworks remain fit for purpose. Less than three years after ChatGPT’s launch, hundreds of millions of users now rely on models from OpenAI and other companies for learning, entertainment, and work. Against a […]