by Mehreen Zahid, Contributing Author
Introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to a machine's ability to perform functions typically associated with the human mind, such as reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving. The history of AI dates to the 1950s when Alan Turing, a British mathematician who played a key role in breaking Nazi ciphers during World War II, introduced the Turing Test—a method for assessing a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from that of a human.
Chances are, you've interacted with AI without even realizing it. Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, as well as customer service bots that help troubleshoot issues on websites, all rely on AI technology. Today, AI is ubiquitous. In healthcare, AI aids in disease prediction, risk assessment, and insurance management. In security systems, AI utilizes facial recognition to verify identities. In creative fields like art and music, generative AI, such as ChatGPT, can produce images from simple descriptions, making creativity more accessible and fun.
AI has also significantly influenced social media platforms, bringing both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, AI enhances user experience by creating algorithms that personalize content feeds, suggest friends, and tailor content based on individual interests. It also helps in moderating content by removing inappropriate material like hate speech, nudity, and violence, and has improved accessibility for people with disabilities. However, there are also negative aspects of AI in social media. Privacy concerns arise from AI’s collection and analysis of vast amounts of personal data, leading to questions about how this data is used. Another major issue is the creation of convincing fake videos and images, known as "deepfakes," which can mislead and manipulate users, spreading false information and sexualizing underage populations. There is also the concern of implicit bias; AI systems learn from the data they are trained on. If the training data includes biases—whether from historical records, social media, or other sources—the AI will likely learn and replicate those biases. For example, facial recognition software has been shown to have higher error rates for people of color, especially Black women, because the algorithms were often trained on predominantly white, male faces. This can lead to users being exposed to further racial biases and stereotypes.. While AI can be a powerful and enjoyable tool, it’s important to use it with caution and be mindful of its potential risks.
TLDR
AI enables machines to perform human-like tasks such as reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving. Originating in the 1950s with Alan Turing's Turing Test, AI is now integrated into everyday technology like voice assistants and customer service bots, as well as fields like healthcare, security, and creative industries. On social media, AI personalized content and moderates inappropriate material but also raises privacy concerns and can spread misinformation through deepfakes. While AI offers many benefits, it's important to use it responsibly and be aware of its potential risks.
Tips for Clinicians & Parents
1. Discuss Privacy Boundaries: Teach your kids the importance of privacy settings and the need to protect personal information. Have a conversation about what should and shouldn’t be shared online, and boundaries they should create for themselves. Indicate that adults can utilize AI to act like children and teens.
2. Educate about Deepfakes: Talk to your kids and show them examples of fake profiles that are made to look real through AI generation but are fake. Encourage them to always question the authenticity of a profile they come by online, and to report anything that looks suspicious.
3. Discuss Screen Time and Balance: AI algorithms are designed to keep users engaged for long periods of time. Discuss setting screen time limits and balancing offline activities.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
· Enhanced personalization, content feeds, and relevancy
· Creativity
· Accessibility to help with problem solving, drafting letters, or homework
Cons:
· Misinformation and deepfakes
· Increased screen time
· Decreased privacy
Relevant Links
How AI is reshaping social media platforms:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kalinabryant/2024/03/14/how-ai-is-reshaping-social-media-platforms-and-5-tips-for-success/
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Social Media Content:
https://thescipub.com/abstract/jssp.2024.12.16
Social Media Manipulation in the Era of AI:
https://www.rand.org/pubs/articles/2024/social-media-manipulation-in-the-era-of-ai.html
AI Art Explained:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVcsDDABEkM
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