A Methodological Turning Point
With over 350 participants from 39 countries, the 19th AAAI ICWSM Conference in Copenhagen brought together a global community of researchers exploring the frontiers of computational social science. From affect modeling to online discourse analysis, the conference highlighted how machine learning and data-driven methods are transforming the social sciences and humanities
ICWSM 2025 also showcased a wide range of research that aligns closely with MASSHINE’s mission: to explore how machine learning, natural language processing, and network analysis can enrich SSH research. Notable contributions included:
- Context-aware models for analyzing online conversations, offering new ways to study discourse and deliberation.
- Reinforcement learning applied to youth safety interventions, demonstrating the social impact potential of AI.
- Temporal modeling of affect using large language models, bridging computational linguistics and emotion research.
These studies exemplify how computational methods are not just augmenting traditional SSH approaches—they are reshaping them.
Interdisciplinary Dialogue
The conference also emphasized the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, a core principle of MASSHINE. Keynote speakers like Kiran Garimella and Richard Rogers highlighted the need for methodological reflexivity, ethical awareness, and theoretical grounding in computational research.
Their talks resonated with our own efforts to integrate critical perspectives with technical innovation, ensuring that computational SSH remains both rigorous and socially responsible.
Building a Research Ecosystem
ICWSM 2025 fostered a vibrant research community through workshops, tutorials, and poster sessions. These formats encouraged dialogue across disciplines and career stages—something we actively promote within MASSHINE through our own seminars, collaborative projects, and training initiatives.
Why Does It Matters for MASSHINE?
The themes and methods presented at ICWSM 2025 reinforce the relevance of our work at Aalborg University. As digital platforms continue to shape public life, computational SSH is essential for understanding—and shaping—the future of society.
We encourage researchers, students, and collaborators to explore the ICWSM 2025 proceedings and consider how these developments can inform and inspire their own work.
For full proceedings and additional resources, visit the ICWSM 2025 website or explore the AAAI digital library
A special thanks to Mathieu Jacomy and Florian Meier, the conference’s General Chairs, for their leadership in making this event a success.
