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Foundation models are platforms

The 47th session of MetSem, titled "Foundation models are platforms", will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Event, MetSem seminar

Salle CS16, 1 place Saint-Thomas d'Aquin, Paris

During this seminar, we will welcome Bernhard Rieder (Associate Professor, Digital Methods Initiative, University of Amsterdam). This presentation will first introduce and analyze foundation models (large language models, vision, etc.) through a political economy based approach. It will explore the links between the “material” properties of these systems and their possible consequences in economical, political and cultural terms. Its second part will focus on the impact of these dynamics on the foundation models used as tools for human and social sciences research, for example during the use of ChatGPT to analyze data. This addresses immediate methodological implications and wider issues concerning the organization of scientific research.   

Bernhard Rieder is Associate Professor of New Media and Digital Culture at the University of Amsterdam and a collaborator with the Digital Methods Initiative. His research focuses on the history, theory, and politics of software and in particular on the role algorithms play in the production of knowledge and culture. This work includes the development, application, and analysis of computational research methods and the investigation of political and economic challenges posed by large online platforms.

Practical information

Advance registration is required. For those unable to attend in person, the sessions will also be streamed via Zoom. 

Date : Thursday, November 21, 2024

Hour : 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location : room CS16, 1 place saint-Thomas d'Aquin, 75007, Paris