Thomas Costello

As Assistant Professor of Psychology at American University and Research Associate at MIT Sloan, Thomas Costello uses personality, cognitive, and political science to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: misinformation. His work explores why some people cling to extreme political and social beliefs, how those beliefs take root, and what it takes to make them shift.

One of his biggest breakthroughs is DebunkBot. A polite but persistent AI designed to engage conspiracy believers in evidence-based conversation. In a series of controlled studies, the results have been astonishing with one in four people walking away actively doubting their own conspiracy beliefs. In a world where misinformation spreads faster than the truth, that is no small feat.

Costello’s research has landed in top-tier academic journals like Science, Psychological Bulletin, and Trends in Cognitive Sciences. He has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Economist, and has taken his insights to major media outlets like the BBC, NPR, and CNN. With over half a million dollars in grant funding and a string of prestigious awards to his name, Thomas Costello is shaping the way we understand the psychology of authoritarianism and belief formation.

In today’s world, where misinformation, political polarisation, and conspiracy theories shape public discourse, influence elections, and even threaten democracy; Costello’s work is highly critical and relevant. By applying psychology, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science, he offers a roadmap for countering false beliefs, improving decision-making, and fostering more rational discourse.

Thomas Costello’s engaging, thought-provoking, and often witty insights makes complex psychological concepts accessible and practical. Whether speaking to corporate leaders, policymakers, or journalists, he provides a fresh and research-backed perspective on some of the most urgent challenges of our time.