AI BS Detector
I want to timestamp my prediction that AI will make us smarter in terms of being able to detect BS online. And I’m sharing a video below to get on the same page with you.
My hypothesis: warnings about AI being used to create fakes are shared and viewed at a rate and volume comparable to the BS content itself, so we’re becoming more aware than ever before that BS exists and we’re more likely to be looking for it.
I’m using a (somewhat) noncontroversial viral video as an example of the kind of content that I find surprising that people believe is real. It’s not made using AI.
Watch it using the link I’ve provided below, (if you haven’t already seen it).
My hypothesis isn’t just about AI generated content. Eventually, I predict that AI will make us savvier at spotting things like poor acting and implausible scripts, as well as completely fake content made with AI.
Video link:
I said (somewhat) non-controversial because I’m not comfortable with the amount of influencer content being made with kids for the purpose of views, likes, shares and money. At least this “core memory” script is benign and maybe there is a bonding experience for all the people who faked this scene, including the kid. I’m not trying to shame this kid. My opinion about it being fake and bad acting is hardly as potentially harmful as being exploited in the making of this video.
But, that’s a whole other subject, so back to my prediction.
The widespread use of AI and extensive warnings to watch for fakes will improve our ability to identify BS because we will no longer just assume that a picture or video someone posted or sent to us is real.
I flip flop on the pros and cons of AI almost every day.
I wanted to deactivate the AI tools on my Web browser because of the massive energy used for an AI search compared to an old-timey Internet search or using Wikipedia.
Here are two articles about this:
MIT News – AI Environmental Impact
CTV News – Hidden Environment Impact of AI Prompts
It is, however, a very quick provider of results when you’re looking for information on an urgent timeline.
Then I wanted to deactivate AI because we’re finding out how the results are often wrong or even made-up.
CBC News – People Reading AI Summaries
Ontario Tech U – Can We Trust AI?
Currently, my stance is that there’s no point in advocating against AI, so I’m using it, and standing by my prediction that it will make us smarter.
So far, I’m wrong about it making us smarter as a whole. But it’s still early and things are moving fast.
If you still think the “Ding Dong Ditch” video I shared is real, I understand. Come back again and watch it in a few weeks or months. Perhaps by then my prediction will be proven to be true, and it’ll be a core memory for us to share.