Overview:

In recent years survey research in management has seen a transition from the use of traditional paper and pencil delivery of questionnaires to use of on-line data collection methods. Accompanying this trend has been increasing concerns about the quality of data obtained using on-line processes, which have grown stronger with the emergence of AI. Our CARMA 2026 Summer Symposium has as it goals to introduce participants to problems with the use of AI in on-line data collection, with an emphasis on data contamination associated with bots and agents. Our Symposium will introduce the potential problems caused by AI bots/agents, present recent research reviewing the detection and extent of these problems, and then provide guidelines for researchers wanting to minimize risks of these problems in their roles as authors and reviewers. Presenters include scholars who are active in this topic area from several social science disciplines, including management, psychology, sociology, and survey methods.All sessions are free and delivered live using Zoom. Advanced registration is required- for more information visit the CARMA website.

Session Details

June 18 (10:00 am-12:00 pm ET):

• Emergence of AI Bots/Agents as a Potential Problem
• History of data collection via the internet
• Review of general concerns with on-line data collection
• An introduction to bots/agents as survey respondents

Panelists: Tianjun Sun, Rice University
Justin DeSimone, University of Alabama
Cynthia Devers, Virginia Tech University

July 22 (10:00 am-12:00 pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm ET):

• AI Bots and Agents: How Real and Big is the Problem?
• Review of current research on bots/agents as survey respondents

Panelists: Andrew Gordon, Prolific
James Martherus, Morning Consult
Adrienne Sudberry, Longwood University
Thomas Shaw, Virginia Tech University
Gargi Sawhney, Auburn University
Amber Thompson, University of Utah

August 19 (10am-12noon ET):

• Author/Reviewer Guidelines for Minimizing Risks of AI Bots/Agents
• Suggestions for authors
• Suggestions for reviewers

Panelists: Louis Tay, Purdue University
Simone Zhang, New York University
Gargi Sawhney, Auburn University