Lecture by Dr. Alicia von Schenk, Würzburg University, at the VWL Research Seminar on 28.01.2025

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Alicia von Schenk, Würzburg University, will give a lecture within the VWL research seminar on the topic of

“Human and Algorithmic Cooperation: Parameters Matter!”

The date is Tuesday, 28.01.2025, 4 p.m., in room F21/03.81.

Abstract

Under which conditions do humans cooperate with machines? This study explores human and algorithmic cooperation in the infinitely repeated Prisoner's Dilemma, focusing on a critical threshold for cooperation. Using online experiments, we assess how replacing human opponents with learning algorithms - either human-mimicking or profit-maximizing - affects cooperation rates. Oour results show that human cooperation is influenced by opponent type and strategy, with a higher predictive power of the theoretical threshold when interacting with AI maximizing profits.