Launching the IPIE
In May 2023, researchers from around the world attended the public launch of the IPIE at the Nobel Prize Summit: Truth, Trust and Hope. After 18 months of preparation and growing to a network of over 200 scientists from 55 countries and many disciplines, the IPIE announced its vision for addressing the existential threats of algorithmic bias, manipulation and misinformation.
Originally proposed during a Solution Session at the Nobel Prize Summit in 2021, the IPIE has benefited greatly from the continuing support and thought partnership of both the Nobel Foundation and the National Academies. From the stage of the 2023 Summit in Washington DC, Dr. Sheldon Himelfarb—CEO of PeaceTech Lab—and Dr. Phil Howard—Director of Oxford University’s Programme on Democracy and Technology—made the case for building an international research community to identify ways to improve our global information environment.
The IPIE’s public launch at the 2023 Summit was the culmination of two years of collaboration with a diverse group of research scientists, international and non-governmental organizations and policymakers. Two milestone meetings were held along the way, the first in September 2022 when a chartering group of 30 of the world’s leading experts on algorithmic bias, manipulation, deep fakes, illicit bots, and other mechanisms of misinformation met at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. Then, in January 2023 at the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica, the leaders of the IPIE research panels and other experts met to develop the organization's research agenda for the next several months.
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The 2023 Nobel Prize Summit was also an opportunity for the IPIE to discuss its inaugural research in a breakout session of experts and to present its findings alongside experts from a variety of disciplines, including Dr. Anna Harvey (Social Science Research Council), Hallie Stern (DISARM Foundation), and Stephen King (Luminate).
Earlier that day, Dr. Himelfarb hosted an esteemed panel of global thought-leaders to discuss countering misinformation through collaboration and coordination across disciplines, languages and political cultures. Collaboration Amidst Complexity featured Tawakkol Karman (2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate), John Momoh (CEO, Nigeria’s Channels TV), Sanjiv Ahuja (Chairman and Founder, Tillman Global Holdings), and Melissa Fleming (Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations).
The 2023 Nobel Prize Summit also yielded opportunities for the IPIE to have in-depth discussions about its plans for building a healthier global information environment and the role of key stakeholders like Gen Z and Millennials.
On Day 1, Dr. Himelfarb and Dr. Howard were interviewed by Sumi Somaskanda (BBC News), where they spoke about the IPIE’s unique purpose and its progress. On Day 3, the IPIE sponsored the side event Regulate, Legislate, Activate! In the spirit of turning the IPIE’s actionable scientific findings into valuable public policy, this panel of next-generation leaders discussed young people's role in the information environment. The panel was moderated by Michael Mort (Head of PBx Digital Lab at J.P. Morgan US Private Bank) and the speakers included Emma Lembke (Founder, Log Off), Bing Chen (Executive Chairman, CEO, & Co-Founder, Gold House), Daanish Alavi (Innovation Co-Lead, Political and PeaceBuilding Affairs, United Nations), and Tamara Nelson (CEO & Co-Founder, Barometer).
Thanks to the support of partners like the Nobel Foundation, the National Academies and funders of the IPIE, the organization's launch at the 2023 Nobel Prize Summit enabled the IPIE to scale its research efforts and impact.
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