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The Era of Artificial Intelligence is Here
Today I am utilizing ChatGPT, a powerful language model, to craft this newsletter. With its advanced capabilities, ChatGPT enables me to potentially enhance how I communicate my ideas and insights to you.
At the Puck, we believe that technology – no matter how powerful – is neither good nor bad. Rather, it is the application of the technology that matters. In this regard, we can see how the artificial intelligence which powers ChatGPT can be helpful, such as in assisting me in writing this article. On the other hand, as artificial intelligence continues to exponentially grow in power, it's crucial that we recognize the damage it has already inflicted upon our world (as we expand on below) and the significant challenges we will inevitably face in the future.
Over the last decade, technology has revolutionized our world in ways that were once unimaginable. AI has become an integral part of our everyday lives, from virtual assistants on our phones to the algorithms that determine the content we see on social media. Despite the potential benefits of AI, we have already seen the damage wrought via social media algorithms.
Have you ever noticed that your social media feed is filled with content that confirms our existing beliefs?
We have been engaging in this type of exploration since back in 2016. But as we well know, social media algorithms are designed to keep you engaged and on the platform for as long as possible. One of the ways in which it does this is by feeding us articles that reinforce our existing beliefs. However, this often leads to echo-chambers , where we only see content that confirms our biases and beliefs, further polarizing society.
As has always been the solution, to combat these negative effects, it’s crucial to seek out diverse perspectives and viewpoints. It’s essential to look for sources that present different opinions and ideas, instead of just consuming content that confirms our beliefs.
Now, while the concept of a social media echo chamber is well-trod territory, let’s try and understand how we got here, recognizing that, although the technology (as we’ve said before) is neither good nor bad, its application can create the danger. Inadvertently, we created the opportunity to create these eco-chambers when we changed the manner in which we consume news in our country.
Before the rise of 24-hour news channels, the economic model for broadcasters was based on appealing to as broad an audience as possible. Advertisers would pay broadcasters to reach a large and diverse group of consumers – the byproduct being that news programs were required to present a view of the news that appealed to both Republicans and Democrats. This approach created a version of “balance” and was reinforced by the Fair Use Doctrine, which required broadcasters to provide two-sided coverage of controversial issues of public importance. This doctrine helped to build a more unified society by ensuring that citizens were exposed to a range of viewpoints and perspectives.
However, as the media landscape changed, first with cable TV, and then with the internet, the economic model for news delivery began to change. Instead of focusing on broad appeal, news channels had to adapt to a bifurcated market, one that catered to many smaller markets rather than one singular massive audience, in order to maximize profits. This led to the creation of 24-hour news channels, which provided content tailored to viewers' interests and beliefs. The result was increased polarization, as viewers began to gravitate towards news channels that confirmed their existing beliefs and values. This, in turn, led to the rise of more extreme and partisan viewpoints, as news channels competed for viewership, by providing increasingly sensational and provocative content. This, as always, provides an opportunity to share Jon Stewart’s brilliant andfunny takedown of the CNN show Crossfire , often seen as the nail in the coffin for a show that was at one point a cable news institution.
While the now-repealed Fair Use Doctrine helped to build a more unified and informed citizenry, the rise of partisan news channels has contributed to increased polarization and division. Social Media has only exacerbated this problem, as algorithms determine what content to show us, reinforcing our existing beliefs and creating echo-chambers. While personal responsibility is crucial, legal regulations can also play a role in mitigating the negative effects of social media algorithms. Transparency and ethical guidelines for AI and social media algorithms, data privacy regulations, and competition policies are all potential solutions.
In studying how this shift took place, we can see that it wasn’t a malicious plot, but rather a series of incremental steps that created a perfect storm. But, by using profit as the singular incentive, it was no surprise that the news diet of the American people turned from vegetables to junk food. Learning from this, our regulators and politicians need to be thoughtful and think ahead when it comes to the changing landscape in other areas as well. Using the catastrophe of news in the digital age as a guide, let’s consider potential landmines in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
One of the key risks associated with AI is its use in developing new military technologies. These technologies could lead to an arms race and increased global instability, as well as raise serious ethical questions about the use of AI in warfare. Look no further than this recent CBS News Discussion with Geoffrey Hinton .