Did an AI write this piece?
As questions like this had been a pleasant quip, (gen AI) began its foray into mainstream discourse. As two years have passed since AI’s widespread adoption, while some people around the world utilize its capabilities, others are scrutinizing the long-term implications of this rapidly evolving technology?
Last month, fans of the highly popular South Korean boy band Seventeen were upset by rumors that incorrectly suggested the group had relied on artificial intelligence in its songwriting process. Woozi, the primary creative force behind many of the group’s musical endeavors, revealed to journalists that he has explored the realm of artificial intelligence to gain insight into the evolution of the industry and weigh its benefits against potential drawbacks.
The BBC was mistaken when it suggested that Seventeen had employed AI technology in the creation of their latest album release. The backlash was hardly unexpected, given that Seventeen has proudly touted itself as a “self-producing” group since its inception, earning the trust and admiration of devoted fans. The group’s creative core comprises 13 members who collaborate on songwriting, music production, and dance choreography.
Some of their followers took issue with the AI tag, perceiving it as a slight on the group’s creative ingenuity. “[Seventeen] write, produce, choreograph! Some fans consider the band proficient, but another enthusiast views the AI label as an affront to their hard-earned achievements and accomplishments.
Following the controversy, Woozi took to his Instagram Stories to clarify that every single song from Seventeen’s discography was crafted by talented human musicians.
Girls, peace, and safety
However, the more pressing issue is how AI’s accelerating impact on various sectors may ultimately reshape the very fabric of society, potentially rendering traditional notions of creativity obsolete in the process. Surrounding artificial intelligence may, with certainty, pose a significant threat to the safety and prosperity of large segments of the global population.
While the adoption of artificial intelligence may offer numerous benefits, it also poses a significant risk to women’s safety, according to a report by the United Nations Girls and the University of Macau. However, concerns arise regarding the pervasive influence of gender biases in cutting-edge AI applications, which hinders the effective utilization of AI as a valuable tool for promoting peace and stability in regions like Southeast Asia.
The analysis revealed hyperlinks between AI, digital safety, and women’s, peace, and security issues across Southeast Asia. By 2030, AI is forecast to boost the region’s gross domestic product by a staggering $1 trillion.
While leveraging AI for peace-related purposes can yield several benefits, such as bolstering inclusivity and the efficacy of conflict prevention and monitoring efforts, ensuring proof of human rights violations, its utilization is surprisingly uneven between genders, with pervasive gender biases rendering women less likely to benefit from these technologies’ applications.
Steps must be taken to effectively address the risks associated with AI applications, particularly on social media platforms and in technologies like chatbots and mobile apps, as outlined in the report. Significant efforts are necessary to leverage AI tools and facilitate the development of “gender-responsive peace” initiatives.
The proliferation of instruments allowing the general public to generate written content, images, and videos has been facilitated without due consideration of their potential implications on gender dynamics or global security.
As the proliferation of massive language models akin to ChatGPT has enabled users to request text tailored to tone, values, and format, Gen AI has reaped significant benefits from this publishing phenomenon. “Furthermore, Gen AI poses a significant threat to the accuracy of information, as its ability to rapidly generate authentic-looking content at scale can accelerate the spread of disinformation.” Additionally, this platform enables the creation of highly effective social media bots that intentionally disseminate divisive, offensive, and discriminatory content.
Researchers at the Association for Computational Linguistics found that when their model was fed 100 fabricated news stories, it produced false claims approximately 80% of the time.
The UN report underscored the long-standing warnings from researchers globally about the perilous consequences of spreading hate-filled and extremist content. Despite initial progress, recent advancements in AI have exponentially amplified the complexity of this problem.
“Studies have consistently shown that picture-generating AI technologies tend to generate misogynistic content, including the creation of sexualized representations of women based on their profile pictures or images depicting them in stereotypical roles rooted in sexism and racism.”
Deepfakes have revolutionized filmmaking with their ability to produce convincingly realistic and easily created motion pictures, allowing for the fabrication of false films featuring any individual solely based on visual references. This has sparked critical concerns for young girls, exemplified by the exploitation of their images in non-consensual, sexually explicit media, with far-reaching consequences that can haunt them throughout their lives, compromising both their reputation and personal security.
When real-world fears transfer on-line
As digital identity threats continue to escalate, concerns over their integrity are increasingly prominent. According to a recent survey of 2,000 UK employees, an overwhelming 81% of respondents expressed concern about the potential theft or misuse of their digital image, with 46% specifically worried about its use in deepfakes.
A staggering 81% of women are concerned that cybercriminals may leverage AI to pilfer sensitive data through digital scams, a concern shared by over 74% of men. While an overwhelming 46% of women express concern that AI may be utilized to generate deepfakes, a significantly lower proportion of men, at 38%, share similar apprehensions about the technology.
According to a CyberArk survey, nearly half (50%) of women expressed concerns that AI could be used to mimic their identities, with over 40% of men sharing similar apprehensions. While 59% of women express concern that AI might misuse personal information, a slightly lower proportion of men at 50% share the same apprehension.
I engaged in a conversation with the Chief Operating Officer of CyberArk, during which we explored the notion that women tend to harbour heightened apprehension regarding AI. Can’t online interactions offer women greater anonymity and thus increased security from harassment or discrimination based on gender identity?
Experts caution that women must remain vigilant about potential online threats, as they may stem from broader societal vulnerabilities experienced offline. Women are often disproportionately targeted and vulnerable to online abuse and misinformation on social media platforms.
Both the anxiety and its roots are not unfounded. According to Camacho, artificial intelligence has a significant impact on online personas. CyberArk specializes in identity administration, with a keen focus on tackling this very challenge.
As artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities continue to evolve, detecting deepfakes is likely to become increasingly challenging. While 70% of companies believe employees can create convincing deepfakes of senior management, Camacho suggests that figure may be an overstatement, citing evidence from…
By mid-2024, a staggering 46% of survey participants confessed to considering the possibility of creating a convincing deepfake video of a political figure. According to a recent survey, Singaporeans demonstrate the highest level of confidence, with an impressive 60% adopting cashless payments, closely followed by Mexicans at 51%, Americans at 37%, and Britons at 33%.
Permitted to wreak havoc and unchecked on social media platforms, detrimental influencers can exert a profoundly negative impact on societies, often aided by ineffective or complicit teams. When disseminated by influencers with significant online followings, the content has the potential to spread quickly.
According to a recent analysis of Elon Musk’s social media platform X, it was found that his unfounded claims about the US elections, which had already been debunked as false or misleading, were viewed approximately 1.2 billion times, according to data from CCDH. Between January 1 and July 31, a comprehensive analysis of Elon Musk’s social media postings related to the elections was conducted by CCDH, identifying 50 instances where fact-checkers had previously disputed the accuracy of his claims.
Musk’s tweet featuring US presidential nominee Kamala Harris garnered at least 133 million views. According to CCDH, the submitted content failed to adhere to the platform’s guidelines, specifically the requirement to label potentially misleading material, which is intended to prevent users from sharing artificial, manipulated, or out-of-context information that may cause harm or confusion.
“The absence of Group Notes on these posts starkly reveals Elon Musk’s enterprise is woefully failing to incorporate the type of algorithmically-boosted incitement that everyone knows can lead to real-world violence, as we tragically experienced on January 6, 2021,” stated CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed. “It’s long overdue that Part 230 of the 1986 US Communications Decency Act is updated to hold social media companies accountable for their content, just like traditional news outlets and businesses across America are currently held responsible.”
Additionally disconcerting is how tech giants are maneuvering to dominate every aspect of our lives.
“Observing the frenetic pace of innovation in Silicon Valley is nothing short of astonishing,” Mark Cuban remarked in an interview. “They’re striving to position themselves for maximum control.” It isn’t an excellent factor.”
Mark Cuban declared that they have lost sight of reality’s foundation.
Musk further noted that X’s online platform grants him access to connect with global political leaders, as well as an algorithm tailored to his specific interests and preferences.
When asked about his vision for AI’s trajectory, Cuban cited its rapid technological advancements, noting that the uncertainty surrounding these breakthroughs makes it challenging to predict future developments. While acknowledging the potential for positive impact, he noted that various uncertainties exist.
Act now to forestall AI’s stranglehold on management.
Let’s consider a clear approach for moving forward. While it’s true that AI has revolutionized many aspects of our lives, we must first dispel the misconception that it holds all the answers to life’s complexities. Companies are actively exploring and working tirelessly to uncover the genuine value of artificial intelligence.
Despite the proliferation of AI-generated content, some creative endeavors still hold a special value in the eyes of fans – as evident in the unwavering enthusiasm of Seventeen’s devoted following.
While some may view AI with skepticism, others see it as a game-changer for bridging linguistic gaps. Here is the rewritten text:
Westlife, a renowned Irish boy band, recently debuted AI-generated vocal representatives, dubbed “AI Westlife”, showcasing the innovative capabilities of artificial intelligence in the music industry. The music was produced by Leisure Group.
While the UN report underscores the urgency of addressing systemic concerns related to AI, these problems are by no means new; a comprehensive approach is long overdue to mitigate their impact. Despite persistent emphasis on these hurdles by many stakeholders, a multitude of measures must still be implemented to effectively address them. Governments seek effective laws and robust enforcement mechanisms to curb the actions of delinquent individuals.
As the artificial intelligence landscape evolves at an exponential pace, it is crucial that policymakers act swiftly to mitigate the long-term consequences on women’s lives, ensuring their continued economic security and autonomy.
