The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Social Media
Is that picture real? Did a human write that comment? Welcome to the world of social media, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is making a huge impact on how we scroll, chat, and even what we believe online.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly changing the way we interact social media. Now, social media isn’t just about scrolling through photos of your besties last trip or catching up on the latest memes. Let’s take a look at how social media is changing with AI, and what that means for us when keeping safe online.
AI Generated Content
Have you ever scrolled past a picture that looked too perfect? Chances are, AI might have had a hand in it. Social media feeds are flooded with all sorts of AI generated content. From the text you see in the caption to the design of graphics, so many tools are using AI to make creating content easier for people.
Making images from AI means that you can create a visual for absolutely anything you can dream of. You might have already seen some, from really realistic portraits of famous people, to an image of unicorn riding a motorbike on a rainbow. While the creativity is impressive, it’s getting much harder to spot the different between fake and real.
Even the text you see on social media pages may not be written by real people. From captions to comments, it’s very difficult to spot whether it’s been written by a human, written by a human with help from AI, or just a straight up bot. So, we’ve gotta be extra careful about what we believe online, as misinformation spreads more easily.
Chatbots
Beyond the visuals, AI is also changing how we communicate on social media, starting with chatbots. AI powered chat features like Snapchat’s “My AI” may seem like a great offer.
Chatbots are always available, which means that it can act as ‘someone’ to talk to any time of day bout anything. Ever asked a chatbot a question you’d be embarrassed to ask a friend? It’s tempting after all. No judgment or worrying about how to bring something up.
But how do you know if it’s giving you the right answer? While chatbots can be a helpful tool for quick information or a bit of lighthearted banter, relying on them as your sole source of truth is a recipe for misinformation.
Virtual Influencers
So, we’re talking about AI creating text and conversations. But what about when it creates people? That’s where virtual influencers come in.
Companies are trying out AI generated influencers to promote their products. These virtual influencers can be created to appeal people from different ages, backgrounds, and interests. It’s a cheaper and more achievable way of giving brands a lot of control over their content which is impossible with human influencers.
However, virtual influences are essentially brands marketing themselves. It means we may not be able to actually trust what the brand has to say as it’s not being reviewed or promoted by a real person. Could this increase the amount of scams online?
Personalised Feeds
And speaking of what you see online, let’s talk about how AI is tailoring your entire social media experience through personalised feeds.
AI algorithms analyse our preferences, interests, and behaviours to create a personalised stream of content for every person who uses social media. This can be incredibly convenient and mean you’re likely to see content that you’re more likely to enjoy or engage with. But it also means that you can create an echo chamber.
By constantly feeding us content that aligns with our existing beliefs, AI algorithms can limit what we see. It’s easy to get comfortable in your own little bubble, but what if you’re missing out on important perspectives? What if you’re being manipulated without even realising it?
What can we do about AI on social media?
Question Everything
Critical thinking is more important than ever. Question everything you see and read, especially if it seems too perfect or unbelievable. Don’t take information at face value. Instead, dig deeper and look for more information.
Be Aware of Your Feed
Combat the echo chambers by being aware of how AI algorithms shape your feed! Understand that these algorithms are designed to show you content they think you’ll like, which can limit your exposure to diverse viewpoints. Don’t rely on a single platform or source for information. Explore different news outlets, websites, and social media platforms to get a better perspective. Actively try to break out of your bubble by following people with different viewpoints and engaging with content that challenges your assumptions.
Look for the Signs
When it comes to spotting AI-generated content, there are a few things to watch for. In images, look for inconsistencies in texture, unnatural lighting, and strange details. In realistic images, pay close attention to hands, teeth and ears because AI often struggles with these. Be wary of content that seems too good to be true, and always consider the source. Look at whether you know and trust the poster.
