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Report Warns of AI's Growing Threats to Internet Freedom

  • Governments using AI to increase online censorship and surveillance
  • AI enabling creation and spread of disinformation
  • Report warns democracies relying too much on industry self-regulation of AI
  • China has world's worst internet freedom for 9th year; Myanmar close behind
  • U.S. banned federal agencies from using commercial spyware posing national security risks
forbes.com
Relevant topic timeline:
Main topic: Copyright protection for works created by artificial intelligence (AI) Key points: 1. A federal judge upheld a finding from the U.S. Copyright Office that AI-generated art is not eligible for copyright protection. 2. The ruling emphasized that human authorship is a fundamental requirement for copyright protection. 3. The judge stated that copyright law protects only works of human creation and is not designed to extend to non-human actors like AI.
Main Topic: Increasing use of AI in manipulative information campaigns online. Key Points: 1. Mandiant has observed the use of AI-generated content in politically-motivated online influence campaigns since 2019. 2. Generative AI models make it easier to create convincing fake videos, images, text, and code, posing a threat. 3. While the impact of these campaigns has been limited so far, AI's role in digital intrusions is expected to grow in the future.
The U.S. is falling behind in regulating artificial intelligence (AI), while Europe has passed the world's first comprehensive AI law; President Joe Biden recently met with industry leaders to discuss the need for AI regulation and companies pledged to develop safeguards for AI-generated content and prioritize user privacy.
Major media organizations are calling for new laws to protect their content from being used by AI tools without permission, expressing concerns over unauthorized scraping and the potential for AI to produce false or biased information.
The increasing investment in generative AI and its disruptive impact on various industries has brought the need for regulation to the forefront, with technologists and regulators recognizing the importance of ensuring safer technological applications, but differing on the scope of regulation needed. However, it is argued that existing frameworks and standards, similar to those applied to the internet, can be adapted to regulate AI and protect consumer interests without stifling innovation.
A new survey by Pew Research Center reveals that a growing number of Americans are concerned about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in daily life, with 52% expressing more concern than excitement about its increased use. The survey also found that awareness about AI has increased, and opinions about its impact vary across different areas, with more positive views on AI's role in finding products and services online, helping companies make safe vehicles, and assisting with healthcare, but more negative views on its impact on privacy. Demographic differences were also observed, with higher levels of education and income associated with more positive views of AI's impact.
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can put human rights at risk, as highlighted by researchers from Amnesty International on the Me, Myself, and AI podcast, who discuss scenarios in which AI is used to track activists and make automated decisions that can lead to discrimination and inequality, emphasizing the need for human intervention and changes in public policy to address these issues.
As AI tools like web crawlers collect and use vast amounts of online data to develop AI models, content creators are increasingly taking steps to block these bots from freely using their work, which could lead to a more paywalled internet with limited access to information.
AI-generated videos are targeting children online, raising concerns about their safety, while there are also worries about AI causing job losses and becoming oppressive bosses; however, AI has the potential to protect critical infrastructure and extend human life.
AI technology is making it easier and cheaper to produce mass-scale propaganda campaigns and disinformation, using generative AI tools to create convincing articles, tweets, and even journalist profiles, raising concerns about the spread of AI-powered fake content and the need for mitigation strategies.
The US Copyright Office has initiated a public comment period to explore the intersection of AI technology and copyright laws, including issues related to copyrighted materials used to train AI models, copyright protection for AI-generated content, liability for infringement, and the impact of AI mimicking human voices or styles. Comments can be submitted until November 15.
The rapid advancement of AI technology poses significant challenges for democratic societies, including the need for nuanced debates, public engagement, and ethical considerations in regulating AI to mitigate unintended consequences.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia is raising concerns about cheating and copyright issues, but also offers potential benefits in personalized learning and critical analysis, according to educators. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has released global guidance on the use of AI in education, urging countries to address data protection and copyright laws and ensure teachers have the necessary AI skills. While some students find AI helpful for basic tasks, they note its limitations in distinguishing fact from fiction and its reliance on internet scraping for information.
Australia's internet regulator has drafted a new code that requires search engines like Google and Bing to prevent the sharing of child sexual abuse material created by artificial intelligence, and also prohibits the AI functions of search engines from producing deepfake content.
AI on social media platforms, both as a tool for manipulation and for detection, is seen as a potential threat to voter sentiment in the upcoming US presidential elections, with China-affiliated actors leveraging AI-generated visual media to emphasize politically divisive topics, while companies like Accrete AI are employing AI to detect and predict disinformation threats in real-time.
Countries around the world, including Australia, China, the European Union, France, G7 nations, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, the UN, and the US, are taking various steps to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and address concerns related to privacy, security, competition, and governance.
New initiatives and regulators are taking action against false information online, just as artificial intelligence poses a greater threat to the problem.
A surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) circulating online has been observed by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), raising concerns about the ability to identify and protect real children in need. Efforts are being made by law enforcement and policymakers to address the growing issue of deepfake content created using generative AI platforms, including the introduction of legislation in the US to prevent the use of deceptive AI in elections.
The generative AI boom has led to a "shadow war for data," as AI companies scrape information from the internet without permission, sparking a backlash among content creators and raising concerns about copyright and licensing in the AI world.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the new focus of concern for tech-ethicists, surpassing social media and smartphones, with exaggerated claims of AI's potential to cause the extinction of the human race. These fear-mongering tactics and populist misinformation have garnered attention and book deals for some, but are lacking in nuance and overlook the potential benefits of AI.
Governments worldwide are grappling with the challenge of regulating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, as countries like Australia, Britain, China, the European Union, France, G7 nations, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United Nations, and the United States take steps to establish regulations and guidelines for AI usage.
Amazon will require publishers who use AI-generated content to disclose their use of the technology, small businesses are set to benefit from AI and cloud technologies, and President Biden warns the UN about the potential risks of AI governance, according to the latest AI technology advancements reported by Fox News.
While many experts are concerned about the existential risks posed by AI, Mustafa Suleyman, cofounder of DeepMind, believes that the focus should be on more practical issues like regulation, privacy, bias, and online moderation. He is confident that governments can effectively regulate AI by applying successful frameworks from past technologies, although critics argue that current internet regulations are flawed and insufficiently hold big tech companies accountable. Suleyman emphasizes the importance of limiting AI's ability to improve itself and establishing clear boundaries and oversight to ensure enforceable laws. Several governments, including the European Union and China, are already working on AI regulations.
As AI technology progresses, creators are concerned about the potential misuse and exploitation of their work, leading to a loss of trust and a polluted digital public space filled with untrustworthy content.
Artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, may have a right to free speech, according to some arguments, as it can support and enhance human thinking, but the application of free speech to AI should be cautious to prevent the spread of misinformation and manipulation of human thought. Regulations should consider the impact on free thought and balance the need for disclosure, anonymity, and liability with the protection of privacy and the preservation of free thought.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to facilitate deceptive practices such as deepfake videos and misleading ads, posing a threat to American democracy, according to experts who testified before the U.S. Senate Rules Committee.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to perpetuate discrimination, but experts also believe that AI can be leveraged to counter these issues by eliminating racial biases in the construction of AI systems. Legislative protections, such as an AI Bill of Rights and the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023, are being proposed to address the impact of AI systems on civil rights.
China's manipulation of global media through censorship, data harvesting, and covert purchases of foreign news outlets could lead to a significant reduction in global freedom of expression, warns the United States in a report.
Artificial intelligence is now being used in extortion cases involving teens, making an already dangerous situation even worse. It is crucial for both teens and parents to remain vigilant and have open conversations about the dangers of online activities.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a positive force for democracy, particularly in combatting hate speech, but public trust should be reserved until the technology is better understood and regulated, according to Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs for Meta.
AI-altered images of celebrities are being used to promote products without their consent, raising concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence and the need for regulations to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated content.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an undeniable force in our lives, with wide-ranging implications and ethical considerations, posing both benefits and potential harms, and raising questions about regulation and the future of humanity's relationship with AI.
China's use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate social media and shape global public opinion poses a growing threat to democracies, as generative AI allows for the creation of more effective and believable content at a lower cost, with implications for the 2024 elections.
The BBC has blocked AI software from accessing its content due to copyright and privacy concerns, joining other content providers in safeguarding their interests, as companies try to devise strategies to monetize their content for use by AI.
The birth of the PC, Internet, and now mainstream artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered us into uncharted territories, requiring collaboration, shared principles, security, and sustainability to unlock AI's true value ethically and for the benefit of all.
The U.S. Space Force has temporarily banned the use of web-based generative AI due to security concerns, suspending the creation of text, images, and other media using government data until new guidelines are released, according to an internal memo.
Governments around the world are considering AI regulations to address concerns such as misinformation, job loss, and the misuse of AI technologies, with different approaches taken by countries like the US, UK, EU, China, Japan, Brazil, and Israel.
AI technology has advanced rapidly, bringing both positive and negative consequences such as improved accuracy and potential risks to the economy, national security, and various industries, requiring government regulation and ethical considerations to prevent misuse and protect human values.
The impact of AI on publishing is causing concerns regarding copyright, the quality of content, and ownership of AI-generated works, although some authors and industry players feel the threat is currently minimal due to the low quality of AI-written books. However, concerns remain about legal issues, such as copyright ownership and AI-generated content in translation.
The publishing industry is grappling with concerns about the impact of AI on copyright, as well as the quality and ownership of AI-generated content, although some authors and industry players believe that AI writing still has a long way to go before it can fully replace human authors.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to create fake audio and video content for political ads, raising concerns about the potential for misinformation and manipulation in elections. While some states have enacted laws against deepfake content, federal regulations are limited, and there are debates about the balance between regulation and free speech rights. Experts advise viewers to be skeptical of AI-generated content and look for inconsistencies in audio and visual cues to identify fakes. Larger ad firms are generally cautious about engaging in such practices, but anonymous individuals can easily create and disseminate deceptive content.
Lawrence Lessig, a professor of law at Harvard Law School, discusses the intersection of free speech, the internet, and democracy in an interview with Nilay Patel. They delve into topics such as the flood of disinformation on the internet, strategies to regulate speech, the role of AI in shaping our cultural experiences, and the need for new approaches to protect democracy in the face of AI-generated content and foreign influence. Lessig suggests that citizen assemblies and an efficient copyright system could help address some of these challenges.
The Internet Watch Foundation has warned that artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse images are becoming a reality and could overwhelm the internet, with nearly 3,000 AI-made abuse images breaking UK law and existing images of real-life abuse victims being built into AI models to produce new depictions of them. AI technology is also being used to create images of celebrities de-aged and depicted as children in sexual abuse scenarios, as well as "nudifying" pictures of clothed children found online. The IWF fears that this influx of AI-generated CSAM will distract from the detection of real abuse and assistance for victims.
A group of 24 AI experts, including Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, have published an open letter calling for stronger regulation and safeguards for AI technology to prevent potential harm to society and individuals from autonomous AI systems, emphasizing the need for caution and ethical objectives in AI development. They argue that without proper regulation, AI could amplify social injustice and weaken societal foundations. The authors also urge companies to allocate a third of their R&D budgets to safety and advocate for government regulations such as model registration and AI system evaluation.
Lawmakers in Indiana are discussing the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), with experts advocating for a balanced approach that fosters business growth while protecting privacy and data.
The Israel-Hamas conflict is being exacerbated by artificial intelligence (AI), which is generating a flood of misinformation and propaganda on social media, making it difficult for users to discern what is real and what is fake. AI-generated images and videos are being used to spread agitative propaganda, deceive the public, and target specific groups. The rise of unregulated AI tools is an "experiment on ourselves," according to experts, and there is a lack of effective tools to quickly identify and combat AI-generated content. Social media platforms are struggling to keep up with the problem, leading to the widespread dissemination of false information.