Stanford HAI 2019 - Michael Bernstein

TL;DR

How can computing help us overcome challenges in working together and designing collaborations effectively for a better society?

Transcript

I'm James Landay I'm a professor here in computer science and also one of H ai's associate directors we're now moving on to our final topic area for the day augmenting human capabilities which is really close to my heart because I'm doing a lot of research here myself and so I'd like to introduce our first lightening talk speaker Michael Bernstein ... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Collaboration is crucial for addressing societal challenges.
• ❓ Computing can mediate and improve social and collaborative interactions.
• 😤 Team structures and dynamics should be adaptable and contingent.
• ❓ Feedback and nudging from computing systems can enhance collaboration.
• 😤 Balancing exploration and risk aversion is vital in decision-making for teams.
• 💁 Network rotation can facilitate idea generation and information diffusion.
• 😤 Access to on-demand expert teams through computing systems is possible.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can computing help improve collaboration and overcome biases?

Computing can help by designing algorithms that provide feedback to teams, nudging them towards more effective communication and collaboration. This can help overcome biases and improve overall team performance.

Q: Why can't we rely on traditional decision-making methods or management strategies?

Traditional methods may be limited by risk aversion and a lack of exploration. Advanced AI algorithms that optimize exploration often induce too much change, causing teams to ignore them. Balancing the rate of change can make AI systems more effective in collaboration.

Q: How can network rotation improve idea generation in teams?

Network rotation involves moving people between teams to expose them to different perspectives. This helps in accessing diverse ideas and bridging structural holes within networks, leading to improved idea creation and diffusion.

Q: How can computing help in assembling teams of experts quickly?

With the internet, it is possible to assemble teams of on-demand experts from around the world. Computing systems can analyze previous teams' data and identify segments that can be stitched together to create new teams for specific goals or projects.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Working together in groups and teams is essential for addressing societal challenges.

• Computing can mediate social and collaborative interactions to improve teamwork.

• There is no universal best way to work together, and team structures should be contingent and adaptable.