Regulate the internet before regulating AI

opinion

To Andy Parker

24 June 2023 | 4:00 PM

The author’s daughter, Alison Parker, was a television reporter for CBS affiliate WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia, who was shot dead in August 2015 during a live interview. Since then, Parker has dedicated herself to fighting the gun violence epidemic.The role social media played in this scourge that swept across America and through his organization Battle of Andy.

In the words of former President Ronald Reagan, “again.” A few weeks ago, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified before Congress, warning of the dangers of technology his company helped invent. His concerns include possible disinformation campaigns and manipulations that may be caused by his AI programs like his ChatGPT at his company.

Sound familiar? It’s pretty much the same dog and pony show that’s been going on for years, except this time newcomer Altman is calling for regulation instead of the usual culprits Google, Facebook and Twitter. He argued that artificial intelligence (AI) could “cause serious harm to the world.” I couldn’t agree more.

But before we can regulate AI, we need to regulate the internet. Because AI is already causing some of the biggest challenges online. For almost eight years, the video of my daughter, journalist Allison Parker’s murder, has been circulating throughout the digital realm, being distributed algorithmically to make money for Google and Facebook as clickbait. Republicans and Democrats who are currently debating regulation should be debating regulation without someone like Sam Altman, who is clearly part of the problem with technology.

Why? First, the technology Altman mentioned is already being used across social media platforms. How do I know? I asked ChatGPT if social media algorithms are considered AI. Here is the response:

Yes, social media algorithms are considered a form of artificial intelligence (AI). Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube employ AI algorithms to personalize and curate content for their users.

These algorithms analyze vast amounts of data such as user preferences, behavior, interactions and content characteristics to make predictions and recommendations. It aims to show users the most relevant content such as posts, articles, videos and advertisements based on their interests and past behavior.

The AI ​​algorithms used in social media platforms continuously learn and adapt based on user feedback and engagement, improving their ability to tailor content to individual users over time.

Mr. Altman, don’t get me wrong. As I prove every day, AI is already causing great harm. And they he’s doing it in two main ways.

First, AI algorithms have the power to amplify both positive and negative content. But more often than not, the emphasis seems to be on sensationalism and engagement rather than responsible dissemination of information. Algorithms’ tendency to prioritize clickbait, divisive content, and misinformation have raised concerns about their impact on public discourse, social cohesion, and even democratic processes. I am very familiar with this aspect. Despite their endless denials, Alison’s murder video continues to be monetized by Google and Facebook via machine learning platforms.

It’s human nature to want to remain silent about accidents or watch news reports depicting violent acts. have understood. But profiting from such content is unconscionable and morally bankrupt. But these platforms are now fully immune thanks to Section 230 of the 1996 Act, which protects big tech companies from prosecution for much of the content they display.

Another major concern surrounding AI algorithms in social media is the lack of transparency and accountability. Users are often unaware of the specific algorithms put in place to curate their feeds, making it difficult to understand biases and potential manipulation.Frankly, very few users know how do they get From their social media feeds.

Now that the Supreme Court has remanded the issue back to Congress in the Gonzalez v. Google ruling, which could have held social media companies accountable for their content, the endless hearings were halted and replaced with action. There must be. The current parliament is dysfunctional and polarized, but no agenda has the power to bring two sides of the House together more than the desire to reign supreme on social media.

Members of Parliament, the ball is in your court. Please do something so that those of us who have been harmed by social media can seek proper redress. Don’t wait for AI to further disrupt our lives. AI has already done enough damage.

I also asked ChatGPT, “Is AI dangerous to society?” Here is the answer:

To maximize the potential of AI while minimizing risks, it is critical that governments, organizations and researchers work together to establish robust frameworks, regulations and ethical guidelines. Responsible development, transparency, and responsiveness to social impact are essential to harnessing the benefits of AI while mitigating its potential dangers.

Hey Congress, it’s up to the experts themselves. It has been 1,436 days since I testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the dangers of unregulated online content. The time for you to work is long past.

Andy Parker is a gun safety advocate and author of For Alison: The Murder of a Young Journalist and Fathers’ Battle for Gun Safety.