The End of Survey Research as We Know It? Confronting the ‘Existential’ Threat of AI Agents

A Campbell Research Workshop featuring Aaron Moss, senior research scientist at CloudResearch.

Survey research informs much of what we know about public opinion, but the integrity of online surveys is increasingly under threat. In this talk, I describe the problem of survey fraud—from familiar bad actors to the rise of AI agents that can complete surveys at scale. While AI agents may pose an existential threat to survey research, they are part of a broader threat to the integrity of online research. After describing the problem, I will discuss practical ways researchers can protect survey data and what must change for survey research to remain trustworthy as AI develops further.  

A light lunch will be provided. Registration required. This speaker is a guest of Emily Thorson, associate professor of political science and senior research associate at the Campbell Public Affairs Institute.