HOW TO COMBAT “AI” FAKERY (ON SOCIAL MEDIA)
Lately, I’ve been confronted with an alarming number of fake AI-generated images and false news stories.
One fabrication this week circulating online originated here in Las Vegas. The image (see example here) shows three music legends together onstage — Elton John, Celine Dion, and Neil Diamond (in a wheelchair). There’s even a story attached — completely false — that Diamond was serenaded in front of a live Las Vegas audience by the other two, who sang his classic “Sweet Caroline.”
It’s shameless trash.
Sure, this is a powerful image and moving story. Had the special moment actually happened, it would have been something worth sharing. Unfortunately, lots of gullible dopes DID share this garbage without first doing any fact-checking. Call it laziness. Worse, the faked images I saw here on Facebook had thousands of *likes* and *shares*. The news story spread quicker than a garden weed or a skin rash. So, the sharing meant that many more thousands were fooled and now believe it happened.
That same day, I saw another moving image posted here on Facebook. This whopper showed Paul McCartney (allegedly) showing up at Phil Collins’ deathbed in the hospital, surrounded by nurses and doctors and lots of fans (who knows how they got into Phil Collins hospital room?). McCartney was strumming his acoustic guitar while Collins closed his eyes had a peaceful smile on his face (never mind that McCartney and Collins actually had a falling out some years ago). Of course — it’s all bullshit. It NEVER HAPPENED.
This AI scourge distorts all kinds of music, and has even spread far beyond just celebrities and entertainment. So, I thought more about this. Why would ANYONE go to so much trouble to invent something that’s fake? What’s the point? Unfortunately, AI now allows anyone to instantly become a master faker and fraudster, and some of the images we see look very convincing.
The bigger problem is — besides the flagrant dishonesty of it (note that I happen to think honesty still matters in life and signing your name to something should come with some degree of responsibility) — is that such falsehoods have creeped into EVERYTHING we do. Troll factories are even creating toxic political poisons as we speak, ready to flood social media with a bombardment of fake photos, videos, false charges, fictional stories, and carefully-crafted, laser-targeted *disinformation* intended to distort the entire political and social narrative. Americans, intoxicated by ignorance, do seem particularly susceptible to the toxins of deception. Sadly, it is WORKING. That means, things are very likely to go from bad to worse.
What can be done to stop this? I’m not that familiar with AI, and I presume there’s not much we can do to stick the toothpaste back into the tube. AI is clearly here to stay, and will continue to explode in its many applications. At some point, we won’t even know we’re being manipulated by AI. Perhaps, we’re already there. We have become the fools we feared.
One thing that I — and you and we — can all do is to CALL OUT fake images and fabricated stories (like the Neil Diamond one here as an example). I would also suggest BLOCKING those social media accounts that post these fake images with any frequency. Some offenders are commercial websites nefariously trying to attract traffic, which is called “clickbait.” These “sources” should be auto-BLOCKED. Report them too, if that’s an option. They do nothing but lie to us and add confusion to what’s happening. I urge social media users to BLOCK all those accounts which spread AI. That’s a very quick, easy, and efficient way to cut off the pathogens of deception. Takes only a few seconds. BLOCK THEM.
This bullshit isn’t just harmless fun. Disinformation has infected every sphere of our lives, and the problem is worsening — with potentially catastrophic consequences. This isn’t even a political or partisan plea. ALL PEOPLE should be upset by this and do something to combat it.
When you see these images, POST SOMETHING. And consider BLOCKING the offenders, especially those who are purposefully misleading us. Let them know WHY you will no longer be a part of it. And yes–this should also include your own contacts.
Determining truth versus lies is hard enough without these trolls spreading the plague of AI fakery.