Information pollution reaches new heights

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the growing problem of information pollution and the dangers of AI-generated misinformation. It highlights the author's long-standing concerns about the potential for large language models to be used to spread falsehoods at an unprecedented scale. The article also discusses the irony of Elon Musk's claims about Twitter being the most trustworthy source of information, while his own chatbot, Grok, is contributing to the problem. The author emphasizes the urgent need for action, such as requiring all AI-generated content to be labeled, to prevent a downward spiral of eroding trust in information.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Information Pollution and AI-Generated Misinformation

1. What are the author's long-standing concerns about the potential impact of large language models on the information ecosystem?

• The author has been genuinely frightened for years by what generative AI might do to the information ecosphere.
• The author has written multiple essays warning about the unreliable and potentially dangerous nature of new AI systems like ChatGPT.
• The author has expressed concerns that bad actors could use large language models to engineer falsehoods at an unprecedented scale.

2. How has the problem of AI-generated misinformation evolved over time?

• In the past, the author and others were just speculating about the potential dangers of AI-generated misinformation.
• However, the problem is now quickly getting worse, as evidenced by recent examples of AI-generated content gaining traction on social media platforms.
• The author cites a quote from Meta's AI guru Yann LeCun, who claimed in late 2022 that AI-generated misinformation would never get traction, but this has proven to be wrong.

3. What are the author's concerns about the impact of AI-generated misinformation on trust and democracy?

• The author warns that if the problem of AI-generated misinformation is not addressed quickly, "nobody will believe anything."
• The author states that this threat of "fast, cheap, automated misinformation left unchecked" could undermine trust and democracy itself.

[02] Proposed Solutions and Calls for Action

1. What is one of the author's key suggestions for addressing the problem of AI-generated misinformation?

• The author suggests that a minimum requirement should be that all AI-generated content be labeled as such, to prevent the mixing of "bogus chatbot stories" with other information.

2. Who does the author call on to take action on this issue?

• The author specifically calls on Senator Schumer to take note of the need to address this problem quickly.

3. What broader changes does the author suggest are needed to hold AI companies accountable for the impacts of their technologies?

• The author argues that software companies, including those developing large language models, should be held liable for any damage caused by their incomplete and unpredictable technologies, similar to how car companies can be held liable for faulty products.
• The author suggests that these AI companies should not be allowed to release their technologies until they can better predict and account for how their systems generate answers and narratives.