Josh A. Goldstein

headshot of Josh Goldstein

Josh A. Goldstein

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford Internet Observatory (2021-2022)
  • Predoctoral Fellow, Stanford Internet Observatory (2020-2021)

Biography

Josh A. Goldstein is a past postdoctoral scholar at the Stanford Internet Observatory. He received his PhD in International Relations from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Clarendon Scholar. At the Stanford Internet Observatory, Dr. Goldstein investigated covert influence operations on social media platforms, studied the effects of foreign interference on democratic societies, and explored how emerging technologies will impact the future of propaganda campaigns. He has given briefings to the Department of Defense, the State Department, and senior technology journalists based on this work, and published in outlets including Brookings, Lawfare, and Foreign Policy.

Prior to joining SIO, Dr. Goldstein received an MPhil in International Relations at Oxford with distinction and a BA in Government from Harvard College, summa cum laude. He also assisted with research and writing related to international security at the Belfer Center, Brookings Institution, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Department of Defense.

publications

Reports
January 2023

Generative Language Models and Automated Influence Operations: Emerging Threats and Potential Mitigations

Author(s)
cover link Generative Language Models and Automated Influence Operations: Emerging Threats and Potential Mitigations
Reports
September 2022

Research note: This salesperson does not exist: How tactics from political influence operations on social media are deployed for commercial lead generation

Author(s)
cover link Research note: This salesperson does not exist: How tactics from political influence operations on social media are deployed for commercial lead generation

In The News

line drawing of face with speech waves
Blogs

Forecasting potential misuses of language models for disinformation campaigns—and how to reduce risk

Authors: Josh A. Goldstein, Girish Sastry, Micah Musser, Renée DiResta, Matthew Gentzel, Katerina Sedova
cover link Forecasting potential misuses of language models for disinformation campaigns—and how to reduce risk
Lawfare Debate
Blogs

The Threat of Foreign Influence Operations

A new SIO-Lawfare debate series argues the questions: What is the impact of foreign influence operations targeting the United States? Is public conversation commensurate with the threat level?
cover link The Threat of Foreign Influence Operations