While flooding that has devastated Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state has yet to subside, another scourge has spread across the region: disinformation on social media that has hampered desperate efforts to get aid to hundreds of thousands in need.
Christian Science Monitor / Associated Press
As experts warn that images, audio and video generated by artificial intelligence could influence the fall elections, OpenAI is releasing a tool designed to detect content created by its own popular image generator, DALL-E.
The New York Times
Two years after the commercial generative AI explosion began, countries across the globe are gearing up for elections that will test their defenses against a potential onslaught of AI-generated propaganda meant to undermine democracy.
Inc.
Difficulty in distinguishing fact from fiction is leading more Americans to actively avoid news. This phenomenon, termed “news fatigue,” is exacerbated by the chaotic digital media landscape and declining trust in news sources.
Neuroscience News
TikTok will begin labeling content created using artificial intelligence when it’s been uploaded from outside its own platform in an attempt to combat misinformation.
The Associated Press
The video message from Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes warmly greeted the scores of election workers who had gathered at a Phoenix-area hotel in December for a first-of-its-kind drill: “We are very excited that all of you are here,” Fontes began. “You are on the front lines, and this exercise is a prime opportunity for you to hone your skills by experiencing new challenges as a team.” He wished them luck.
The Washington Post
In spring 2022, Seven Stories Press editor Greg Ruggiero read a New York Times op-ed that unnerved him. In it, University of Michigan law professor and former U.S. attorney Barbara McQuade discussed the then-upcoming state elections and how several candidates for secretary of state—the office that generally oversees voting in each state—were seeking to use the post as ‘a platform to spread disinformation.’
Publishers Weekly
Misinformation has become an epidemic in the Internet age. It undermines interpersonal trust, acerbates political polarization, threatens social order, and creates fear and uncertainty. The damaging effects are immense for individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
Psychology Today
The headlines sounded dire: “China Will Use AI to Disrupt Elections in the US, South Korea and India, Microsoft Warns.” Another claimed, “China Is Using AI to Sow Disinformation and Stoke Discord Across Asia and the US.”
WIRED
Although news consumption soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, subscriptions have since fallen, and news outlets around the world have been laying off reporters or even shutting down altogether. That is bad news for all of us.
The Independent
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government asked social media companies to take down misinformation about the spread of coronavirus and mask and vaccine efficacy. The Supreme Court is now considering a legal challenge to the constitutionality of these informal requests, known as government “jawboning.”
NYU Law News
Social media apps regularly present teens with algorithmically selected content often described as “for you,” suggesting, by implication, that the curated content is not just “for you” but also “about you” – a mirror reflecting important signals about the person you are.
The Conversation
A large majority of Americans see the freedom of the press as highly important to the well-being of society. But many express concerns about potential restrictions on press freedoms in the United States – and say that political and financial interests already have a lot of influence on news organizations.
Pew Research Center
Most Americans are worried about inaccuracies and misinformation being reported during the 2024 election, according to a poll released Wednesday.
The Hill
Three experts discussed the importance of AI regulation and combating misinformation in “AI and Healthcare,” the fourth event of the “Conversations on AI and our Data-Driven Society” series.
Brown University Herald
It’s the age of generative artificial intelligence, but while the technology races ahead, large cultural questions about how to maintain trust in AI remain unanswered. Adobe surveyed more than 2,000 people about misinformation and their trust in GenAI.
Fast Company
The Integrity Project gathers a prestigious group of elections experts for an important virtual conversation May 31, and invites the public to join in.
The Integrity Project
It's natural for children to be curious about the latest popular AI programs. As these tools become more widespread, it's important to talk with kids about responsible and appropriate tech use. These tips can help your family explore and learn about AI together.
Common Sense Media
With free bars of soap and lots of patience, volunteers with a nonprofit in Taiwan recruit students to attend free media literacy classes. Initially aimed at seniors, Fake News Cleaner now offers programs to all ages, including elementary school and university students.
Psychology Today
Social media plays a crucial role in Americans’ news consumption. Half of all U.S. adults say they at least sometimes get news there, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.
Pew Research Center
