Social Change Lab

People were least concerned about the risk of human extinction from AI. Of all the risks we tested, it was in last place. But reading about AI-enabled warfare substantially increased concern about extinction risk, implying talking about autonomous warfare is a promising way in.

We also tested which AI risks make people most willing to take action (share information, donate, contact their MP, or join an organisation). The answer: environmental harms from AI.

We tested 11 AI risk framings. Only 1 area shifted people on every measure of general concern about AI, as well as connected measures such as voting intentions: AI-enabled warfare. As autonomous weapons are being deployed at industrial scale, the public is paying attention.

Our Director @SamNadel spoke to Canada's national public broadcaster, @CBCNews, about Gaza and whether protests can really make a difference: youtube.com/watch?v=y8gjylfL… #Protest #Gaza #SocialChange

2/ We found that effective campaigns use three big strategies: 💸 Squeezing the money 📉 Reducing social licence ⚖️ Protecting & enforcing Each one includes multiple tactics — and the most impact comes when they combine.

🇬🇧 In the UK, Just Stop Oil's protests were associated with a 0.34 point uptick for the Green Party. However, the anti-climate Reform UK also trended towards a rise in support, indicating a more polarised response. 5/7

🇸🇪 In Sweden, actions by Återställ Våtmarker (Restore Wetlands) were associated with a 0.45 point rise for the Center Party and a 0.79 point increase for pro-climate parties overall. 4/7

🇩🇪 In Germany, protests by Letzte Generation (Last Generation) were associated with a 0.19 percentage point increase for Die Linke and a 0.44 point decrease for the anti-climate AfD. Overall, pro-climate parties saw a 0.33 point boost. 3/7

Here are some important 'success factors' in one handy table 2/4

We'll be at the Vegan and Animal Rights Conference in Manchester this weekend, exploring the future of the animal advocacy movement in the UK and beyond. If you're at the conference and want to connect—say hi to our Director, @SamNadel , on the Whova app #VARC #VARConference

Protests that are highly disruptive & appear ‘illogical’ gain the most media coverage—and more media = more donations. 🔹 A one-unit rise in disruptiveness = 64 extra donations. 🔹 ‘Illogical’ protests get more media attention. 3/5

📊 Protests drive donations. Data from Just Stop Oil & Animal Rising shows that weeks with protests see a significant increase in donations. 2/5 #ProtestImpact

How can activists and social movements advance progress on animal welfare? 🐾 We'll be at the @Reducetarian Summit in Dallas for the next three days to discuss this, along with philanthropists, investors, and environmentalists—all working to end factory farming

The study finds that radical climate protests, like those by Just Stop Oil can boost support for moderate groups like Friends of the Earth @friends_earth @JustStop_Oil

🚨 Big News! 🚨 Our study “Radical climate protests linked to increases in public support for moderate organizations” just got published in Nature Sustainability: rdcu.be/dXA0M #ClimateAction #ProtestTactics

Calling all activists & campaigners! Check out the new Activists Resource Hub from @SocChangeLab & @jrf_uk. A one-stop shop for all your organising needs, from training to press releases. Start using it now! activists-resource-hub.com/ #Activism

We'll be in Dallas next month at the Reducetarian Summit to share insights from Social Change Lab's research, discussing how different protest tactics can advance (or frustrate) efforts to reduce animal product consumption and eliminate factory farming: reducetarian.org/summit-2024

Do climate activists need to be popular to have an impact? Martin Luther King Jr & other leaders have often had high disapproval ratings at the height of their campaigns news.gallup.com/poll/20920/m… @TRTworld

What is the impact of disruptive climate protests? Watch our Interim Director @SamNadel discuss findings from our research on #JustStopOil Read it here: socialchangelab.org/_files/u… @TRTworld

What do the public think about the record jail sentences for Just Stop Oil activists? Our nationally representative poll found 61% of people in Britain think the sentences were too harsh. Only 12% felt they were too lenient. Read more here: lnkd.in/e_NNztRa