The complex and often challenging relationship between humanity and the ever-evolving automated state took center stage at Leiden Law School on March 19, 2026, as Dr. Mengchen Dong, a distinguished social psychologist and behavioral scientist from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, delivered a compelling lecture titled “False Consensus Biases AI Against Vulnerable Stakeholders.” Dr. Dong’s research, deeply rooted in AI ethics and governance, explores the intricate ways power dynamics, individual circumstances, and sociocultural backgrounds shape human-AI interactions. Her work serves as a crucial compass in navigating the ethical minefield of artificial intelligence, particularly as it encroaches upon critical…

Imagine a conversation unfolding at a family dinner, where someone starts sharing alarming, but ultimately untrue, stories about renewable energy. This isn’t just happening at dinner tables, it’s a pervasive issue across Australia – a surge of misleading and false information about climate change and clean energy. A recent Senate inquiry, like a diligent detective agency, has just wrapped up its investigation into this “infodemic,” releasing a hefty report that paints a stark picture. The report, essentially a roadmap for change, outlines 21 crucial steps the Australian government needs to take to mend our fractured “information ecosystem.” It’s like our…