# Free Speech and Artificial Intelligence

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.28973 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.28973/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 42 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 29 Aug 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [A Survey on Conversational Recommender Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2004.00646/) (2020)
- [Bridging Systems: Open Problems for Countering Destructive Divisiveness across Ranking, Recommenders, and Governance](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.09976/) (2023)
- [Freedom of Speech and AI Output](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.08673/) (2023)
- [Recommended Selves: Authenticity and Algorithmic Filtering](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.14602/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Philosophers and legal scholars are engaged in debates about the implications of artificial intelligence for freedom of expression. This paper analyzes the free speech issues raised by two distinct AI technologies: social media recommendation algorithms and conversational AI (i.e., chatbots powered by large language models). The first part shows that, through their recommendation algorithms, social media platforms control the dynamics of speech visibility in the digital public sphere, making algorithmic recommendation relevant to the philosophy of free speech. The second part turns to conversational AI. It discusses both the reasons for granting or withholding speech rights to artificial agents and users' right to receive information, which may render specific forms of chatbot regulation illegitimate. Throughout, the chapter also considers whether social media platforms or AI developers hold corporate speech rights. Its general aim is to raise rather than settle questions that arise from the rapid development of AI technologies.