Michal Shur-Ofry

Thanks @ProfSchrepel for the shout-out to my piece on AI Governance as Regulation of Collective Memory. It explores how AI can shape collective memory, and why, to safeguard our “future’s past,” collective memory needs a seat at the AI regulation table. 👇 networklawreview.org/shur-ofry-coll…

@LnrdRizzo @Unibocconi Cool application of network science ! Now to predicting who’s going to win the Eurovision :) (constructing the network more difficult, though)

How we "guessed" the Pope using network science: inside the cardinal network. A study by me, Beppe Soda and Alessandro Iorio. Article: unibocconi.it/en/news/networ… @Unibocconi

@barabasi Predictability (and falsifiability) in complex systems can exist at a more general level—patterns rather than precise predictions (cf. Hayek). E.g., power law distributions, diffusion dynamics, etc.

Network science isn’t just theory—it’s experimentally testable (falsifiable). Two examples: Predicting locomotion-critical neurons (Yan et al., Nature 2017) Coupled semiconductor networks (Bonamassa et al., Nat. Phys. 2023) Know of any more? Share, please.

@Gad_Weiss116 Bravo! To continued success!

It was a pleasure to join this episode of @BHComplexity , one of my favorite podcasts, to discuss Law & Complexity. Thanks to @BradyHeywood , a master of interdisciplinary conversations! Listen below 👇

@NathalieSmuha @CambridgeUP How lovely to see it in print! congratulations @NathalieSmuha

It’s finally out! After years of work, I’m very glad to announce that my #book Algorithmic Rule by Law is now published @CambridgeUP. If you’re interested in the intersection of #law, #technology and #government - with some philosophical twists - this book is for you.

@FriedrichHayek @CambridgeUP @SSRN @lsolum Thank you @FriedrichHayek for highlighting Hayek’s work on complexity. I agree with and discuss the distinction between detailed ‘naive’ predictions (often likely to fail) and prediction of patterns, which is super important for law &policy (this is the following parts).

"Hayek on Complexity and the Rule of Law" Friedrich Hayek’s contributions to the study of complex phenomena and his analysis of the rule of law and negative rules of just conduct are interconnected through his broader project of understanding how decentralized social orders emerge and are sustained without centralized control. 1. Complex Phenomena and Hayek’s Epistemology Hayek argued that society is a paradigmatic example of a complex adaptive system—a network of numerous, interdependent agents whose interactions give rise to emergent properties that cannot be predicted or explained purely by examining individual components. For Hayek, the social order is not designed but evolves spontaneously through human action, not human design. This perspective is rooted in his critique of constructivist rationalism, which assumes that social orders can be centrally planned or fully understood. Key elements of Hayek’s theory of complex phenomena include: •Dispersed Knowledge: Information relevant to social coordination is scattered across individuals and cannot be fully aggregated or utilized by any central authority. •Emergent Order: Social orders emerge through the unintended consequences of individual actions guided by local knowledge. •Limits of Prediction: Due to the sheer complexity of social interactions, precise predictions of societal outcomes are impossible. Instead, only patterns can be discerned. 2. Negative Rules of Just Conduct Hayek emphasized the importance of general, abstract, and negative rules of conduct for enabling coordination within a complex society. Negative rules specify what individuals must not do (e.g., do not steal, do not harm others) rather than prescribing positive actions. These rules: •Reduce conflict by providing stable expectations about permissible behavior. •Allow individuals to pursue their own goals within a framework that minimizes interference with others. •Foster innovation and experimentation by enabling individuals to act freely within defined boundaries. Negative rules are inherently abstract and apply universally, reflecting what Hayek termed “rules of just conduct.” They are not designed to achieve specific outcomes but to provide a predictable environment in which individuals can navigate complexity and adapt to changing circumstances. 3. The Rule of Law and Social Coordination The rule of law is central to Hayek’s vision of a functioning liberal society. For Hayek, the rule of law entails governance by clear, general, and stable rules rather than by arbitrary discretion. It supports complex social coordination in several ways: •Predictability: By ensuring that individuals can anticipate the legal consequences of their actions, the rule of law reduces uncertainty, allowing for more effective planning and interaction. •Impersonality: The generality of the law ensures that it applies equally to all, preventing favoritism and fostering trust in social institutions. •Facilitation of Spontaneous Order: The rule of law creates a framework in which individuals can self-organize, leveraging local knowledge without interference from centralized authority. 4. Interconnection Between the Two Domains Hayek’s work on complex phenomena and the role of law is tightly interwoven. In his view, the spontaneous order of a complex society depends on the framework provided by the rule of law and negative rules of just conduct: •The abstract nature of negative rules aligns with the unpredictable and emergent character of complex phenomena. These rules do not constrain the diversity of individual actions but instead channel them in ways that prevent destructive conflict. •The stability and generality of the rule of law enable the decentralized trial-and-error processes that are crucial for adaptation in complex systems.

Chapter 2 of my book-in-progress, Law and Complexity—An Introduction (forthcoming @CambridgeUP), now on @SSRN. It offers a working definition of #complexsystems and a ‘Complexity 101’ for law & policymakers. Thank you @lsolum for highlighting it! 👇 hq.ssrn.com/submissions/Cl…

@JonGuze @CambridgeUP @SSRN @lsolum Thank you @JonGuze, look forward to reading your work!

@MichalShur @CambridgeUP @SSRN @lsolum The website seems to be down for the holidays, but this sounds extremely interesting. I look forward to reading the chapter and the book. For what it's worth, here's my take on the topic. docs.google.com/document/d/1Cr…

Can we "grow a tail" to #LLMs and increase their output diversity? Check out our study, w/ @boknilev , Bar Horowitz-Amsalem, Adir Rahamim, now on @SSRN👇

Thrilled to find Chapter 1 of my book-in-progress, Law and Complexity: An Introduction (forthcoming w @CambridgeUPress), on @lsolumn’s Legal Theory Blog. Chapter 2 coming soon to @ssrn. #LawandComplexity

Will large language models narrow our world & decrease our exposure to diverse contents? Check out our new study of LLMs output diversity, incl baseline evaluations & simple mitigation strategies, w @boknilev, Bar Horowitz-Amsalem & Adir Rahamim. @SSRN papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…

@filip_lubinski @ProfSchrepel thank you @filip_lubinski, more coming, hopefully soon!

@ProfSchrepel Thank you Prof. @MichalShur! Cannot wait to learn more about the coming book 👀

Here are my latest reading suggestions networklawreview.org/november-2024/ Topics include breaking up Big Tech, the evolution of market structure reasoning, regulating AI without stifling innovation, IKEA, an evolutionary take on platforms, an Olympic marathoner, and complexity science in law, among others. With @drpinarakman, @Sherman1890, @corbinkbarthold, @rubenvoosten, @jasonfurman, @CassSunstein, @ginakolata, @djrosent, @gilbert, @AuerDirk, @geoffmanne, @MichalShur, @BrianLeiter and others!

How nice to find "Law and Complexity: An Introduction" (first chapters of book-in-progress, forthcoming w @CambridgeUP ) in the reading suggestions of @ProfSchrepel, among so many fascinating reads! link here-papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf… More #LawandComplexity soon, stay tuned:)

How can #complexity inform the #law? Sharing Intro & Ch1 of book-in-progress, Law and Complexity: An Introduction, forthcoming @CambridgeUP. Chptrs describe the emergence of complexity & ask: so what does it have to do with the Law? more soon stay tuned! spkl.io/6013fn92z

📢Interested in the (#legal, #economic, and #technical) #dynamics behind #GenerativeAI?? 🚀🚀 💡The recordings of our #Symposium on the “Dynamics of Generative #AI” (by @JWI_Berlin & @alti_VU) are now available! 🎥Watch it now & spread the word👉 youtube.com/playlist?list=…

כבוד לאוניברסיטה העברית שטיפסה בדרוג שנגחאי לפי תחומי מחקר ((Global Ranking of Academic Subjects בלימודי מתמטיקה, תקשורת ומשפטים! במתמטיקה ותקשורת עלתה האוניברסיטה למקום ה- 14 ובמשפטים דורגה האוניברסיטה במקום ה-42 מבין האוניברסיטאות הטובות ביותר בעולם. זאת לצד דרוגה הכללי של האוניברסיטה במקום ה- 81 לשנת 2024. מדד שנגחאי לפי תחומי מחקר, המתפרסם כל שנה בחודש נובמבר, מודד את ביצועי המחקר באוניברסיטאות בעולם, תוך התייחסות לחמישה תחומי הערכה עיקריים: סגל ברמה עולמית, תפוקה, מחקר איכותי, השפעת המחקר ושיתופי פעולה בינלאומיים.

Looking forward to it! You can access the working paper I'll be presenting at the following link: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf… @nyulaw #AIGovernance

@wonderofscience real life example of the DLA model for the emergence of fractals?

Watch the strange, life-like behavior of small ball bearings in castor oil when exposed to an electric field—a fascinating display of self-organization. 📽: Stanford Complexity Group

@StZeitouni @JSDNYU @BerkeleyLaw Bravo, Stav! To continuing success!