AI systems like chatGPT, Dall-E 2, and Lensa have the ability to generate text and images that closely resemble human-like creations. While these systems are fun to play with, they also pose a threat to society. The ease with which they can generate content raises concerns about the reliability and trustworthiness of information. The release of Meta’s Galactica highlighted the potential for political and scientific misinformation. The impact of these systems is not limited to entertainment, as platforms like Stack Overflow are experiencing harmful effects from the submission of AI-generated content. Addressing this threat requires the support of social media companies, reconsideration of misinformation policies, validation of user accounts, and the development of AI tools to combat misinformation. The author emphasizes the need for society to consider the consequences of AI technology and take appropriate actions.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advancements in AI generating human-like text and images | From AI generating text and images that look human-like with little effort | AI systems becoming more capable of generating realistic content | Desire for fun and entertainment |
| Concerns about AI systems as a threat to society | From AI systems being seen as fun to play with | Increased recognition of the potential harm caused by AI systems | Fear of misinformation and societal impact |
| Release and withdrawal of AI model Galactica by Meta AI | From initial excitement to concerns about reliability and trustworthiness | More caution and scrutiny in releasing AI models | Reports of political and scientific misinformation |
| Open-sourcing of AI models and potential for replication | From limited access to open availability of AI models | Increased availability and replication of AI models | Desire for transparency and sharing knowledge |
| Impact of AI-generated content on Stack Overflow | From valuable resource to temporary ban on AI-generated submissions | Potential decline in trustworthiness and relevance of Stack Overflow | Need for accurate programming information and quality control |
| Potential use of large language models in misinformation campaigns | From limited use to widespread use as automatic weapons | Increased volume and uncertainty in misinformation campaigns | Desire to manipulate and control information |
| Need for action against AI-generated misleading content | From limited action to widespread support for banning misleading content | Increased measures to combat and remove misleading content | Protecting users from misinformation and maintaining credibility |
| Reconsideration of policies on misinformation | From limited policies to treating misinformation like libel | Potential legal action against intentional and high-volume misinformation | Addressing the spread of false information |
| Importance of user validation and authentication | From limited validation to mandatory bot-resistant authentication | More reliable and secure user accounts | Ensuring authenticity and reducing fake accounts |
| Development of new AI tools to combat misinformation | From reliance on large language models to integrating classical AI tools | New tools integrating large language models with databases and reasoning | Need for mechanisms to verify truth and combat misinformation |