MIT focus group data on AI and deepfake technology

Interview protocols, recordings, and transcripts of three focus groups to investigate the social perception of AI and deepfake technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The focus groups are described below: Focus Group #1 (engaged public): 12 participants in a 3-session Make A Fake class; the students were offered a full course refund in return for their participation in the study, which took place immediately following the final session of the class on Monday 27 February, 2023. Focus Group #2 (attentive public) 14 visitors to the MIT Museum who volunteered to participate in the discussion after being recruited in the museum itself. The activity was scheduled for the week following recruitment, Monday 24 April, 2023, and as compensation for their involvement participants were offered a refund of their museum admission fee, and two more tickets for another day. Focus Group #3 (nonattentive public): 13 pedestrians who were recruited with the help of 4 MIT volunteers working in the immediate environs of the Boston Public Library and the adjacent Prudential Center Shopping Mall. Participants were offered a $70 Amazon Gift Card in consideration for one hour of conversation on the same day of their recruitment, Saturday 27 May, 2023. NOTE: Recordings from different devices are attached to better capture the voices of each conversation (devices: MacBook Air and iPad Pro).