Pew Research Center: Internet, Science and Tech on the Future of Free Speech

The more hopeful among these respondents cited a series of changes they expect in the next decade that could improve the tone of online life. They believe: Technical and human solutions will arise as the online world splinters into segmented, controlled social zones with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). While many of these experts were unanimous in expressing a level of concern about online discourse today many did express an expectation for improvement. These respondents said it is likely the coming decade will see a widespread move to more-secure services, applications, and platforms, reputation systems and more-robust user-identification policies. They predict more online platforms will require clear identification of participants; some expect that online reputation systems will be widely used in the future. Some expect that online social forums will splinter into segmented spaces, some highly protected and monitored while others retain much of the free-for-all character of today's platforms. Many said they expect that due to advances in AI, "intelligent agents" or bots will begin to more thoroughly scour forums for toxic commentary in addition to helping users locate and contribute to civil discussions. Jim Hendler, professor of computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, wrote, "Technologies will evolve/adapt to allow users more control and avoidance of trolling. It will not disappear, but likely will be reduced by technological solutions."