Karen Kornbluth

From Social Pariah to Social Fabric: What Is the Future of Digital Media?

Willow Bay, Hani Farid, Tristan Harris, Karen Kornbluth, Niloufar Razihau

Leading experts and policymakers convened to analyze how social media business models monetize engagement and polarization, creating systemic risks that current voluntary safety measures fail to address. The panel proposed urgent regulatory reforms including independent algorithmic audits, "board of the people" structures, and temporary election "circuit breakers" to mitigate disinformation and protect democratic processes. By treating the attention economy like the financial sector requiring oversight, the discussion concluded that proactive legal frameworks and a cultural shift toward digital literacy are essential to prevent societal collapse.