# The 2026 History of Science Frederick A. Jakobiec Public Lecture ft. Alondra Nelson ![Event cover for Alondra Nelson's talk](/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_5_4__480x385/public/2026-03/Original%2027%20Feb%20Final%20Jakobiec%20Poster-5.jpeg?itok=-M4yjGBN) #### calendar\_today Date and Time **April 9, 2026** 04:00PM EDT #### pin\_drop Location **Reception to Follow I Harvard Loeb House** [17 Quincy St. Cambridge, MA 02138 United States ]() ## "Algorithmic Agnotology: On AI, Knowledge, and Power" This spring we will be hosting [**Alondra Nelson**](https://www.ias.edu/sss/faculty/nelson), Harold F. Linder Professor and Chair of the [Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab](https://www.ias.edu/stsv-lab) at the Institute for Advanced Study. **Thursday, April 9, 2026 I In Person** **4:00 PM I Harvard Loeb House, 17 Quincy St., Cambridge, MA 02138** ***Reception to follow*** **I Free and Open to the Public** This talk traces how the strategic production of ignorance—what historian Robert Proctor terms "agnotology"—has evolved from twentieth-century industrial contexts into contemporary algorithmic systems. Big Tech and AI companies have refined these prior industrial tactics into what I call "algorithmic agnotology": the exploitation of technical complexity to obscure accountability and naturalize inscrutability as inherent to digital systems. Based on analysis of firm statements, media, and scholarly literature, I examine how AI companies blur the distinction between epistemic uncertainty (what could be known with more research) and stochastic uncertainty (what is inherently unknowable)—a conflation that presents strategic opacity as technical inevitability. This framework shows how algorithmic agnotology obscures what could be known from what is claimed to be unknowable—a dynamic accelerated by the "AI race" with consequences that reach beyond technical domains to fundamental questions of democratic governance and digital rights. ~~ For questions please contact Deborah Valdovinos at [valdovin@fas.harvard.](mailto:valdovin@fas.harvard.edu) [ ![Alondra Nelson speaking at podium](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-1.jpg?itok=sjRccEca) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-1.jpg) [ ![Audience listening to talk](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-2.jpg?itok=PMCmqIBg) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-2.jpg) [ ![Alondra Nelson and Liz Lunbeck at podium](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-3.jpg?itok=AmBKiQFe) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-3.jpg) [ ![Alondra Nelson answering a question](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-4.jpg?itok=jRezCVI8) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-4.jpg) [ ![Student holding microphone and asking question](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-5.jpg?itok=7ru_MyzU) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-5.jpg) [ ![Alondra Nelson smiling](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-6.jpg?itok=9WmpwFEW) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-6.jpg) [ ![Alondra Nelson considering a question](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-7.jpg?itok=wreXB8ka) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-7.jpg) [ ![Professor holding microphone and asking question](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-8.jpg?itok=EPGU-atG) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-8.jpg) [ ![Alondra Nelson and Liz Lunbeck standing at podium](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-9.jpg?itok=7ihSrlOu) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-9.jpg) [ ![Professor asking question](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-10.jpg?itok=JyHaReR6) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-10.jpg) [ ![close-up of Jakobiec audience](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-11.jpg?itok=dYh0j_F2) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-11.jpg) [ ![Audience member holding microphone and asking question](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-12.jpg?itok=RdZqUEX5) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-12.jpg) [ ![Audience member seated with microphone asking question](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-13.jpg?itok=iuNwit0V) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-13.jpg) [ ![Jakobiec audience raising hands to ask questions](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-14.jpg?itok=oyU1azy2) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-14.jpg) [ ![wide shot of jakobiec audience and speaker](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-15.jpg?itok=LpWH8a_X) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-15.jpg) [ ![Wide shot of Jakobiec audience](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-16.jpg?itok=VGtmmNQb) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-16.jpg) [ ![Close up on Liz Lunbeck](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-17.jpg?itok=RQauDaEO) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-17.jpg) [ ![Alondra Nelson speaking with student](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-18.jpg?itok=y_x2SDUI) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-18.jpg) [ ![People chatting at Jakobiec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-19.jpg?itok=O_-txN_-) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-19.jpg) [ ![Three professors chatting at Jakobiec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-20.jpg?itok=6Iqg5HBZ) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-20.jpg) [ ![Professor enjoying Jakobec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-21.jpg?itok=qnzvHFnF) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-21.jpg) [ ![Professor chatting with students at jakobiec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-22.jpg?itok=ESX9899x) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-22.jpg) [ ![Three students chatting at Jakobiec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-23.jpg?itok=t9NDj0B7) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-23.jpg) [ ![Three students conversing at jakobiec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-24.jpg?itok=Abo_Wmih) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-24.jpg) [ ![Alondra Nelson enjoying Jakobiec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-25.jpg?itok=4z4gpOqZ) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-25.jpg) [ ![People milling about jakobiec reception](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-26.jpg?itok=M5OBmARE) ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum9516/files/2026-05/2026%20Jakobiec-26.jpg) ## About the Frederick A. Jakobiec Public Lectures [ Click here for more details about the Frederick A. Jakobiec Lectures arrow\_circle\_right ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/announcing-2026-history-science-frederick-jakobiec-lecture-speaker-alondra-nelson) See also:- [ Special Lectures ](/event-categories/special-lectures) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#) Save: [ Add to calendar calendar\_today ](https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/node/1936011/event-feed.ics) Copy link link