‘Very wonderful, very toxic’: how AI became the culture war’s new frontier

The rise of "anti-woke AI" has become a battlefront in the culture war, with rightwing critics claiming that AI models are too politically correct, while experts argue that these models exacerbate inequalities and harm marginalized groups.

theguardian.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/27/2023

The Fight Over A 'Dangerous' Ideology Shaping AI Debate

The philosophy of longtermism, which frames the debate on AI around the idea of human extinction, is being criticized as dangerous and distracting from real problems associated with AI such as data theft and biased algorithms.

8/30/2023

Researcher builds anti-Russia AI disinformation machine for $400

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.

8/31/2023

In 1909, E.M. Forster foresaw the real threat from AI - The Boston Globe

The article discusses the potential dangers of AI, drawing on E.M. Forster's 1909 novella "The Machine Stops," which warns that technology can lead to a society that is lethargic, isolated, and devoid of purpose, rather than a machine uprising like often portrayed in Hollywood.

9/5/2023

Experts alone can't handle AI – social scientists explain why the public needs a seat at the table

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.

9/11/2023

AI's Portrayal as Devious Reflects Humanity's Own Distrustful Nature

The author suggests that Hollywood's portrayal of machines turning against humans reflects humanity's own deviousness and lack of trust, implying that if artificial intelligence leads to the downfall of humanity, it is a consequence of our own actions.

9/19/2023

Tech Critics Pivot to AI Alarmism Despite Questionable Evidence

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.

9/20/2023

Journalists See Promise in AI to Boost Efficiency, But Worry About Ethics, Accuracy

More than half of journalists surveyed expressed concerns about the ethical implications of AI in their work, although they acknowledged the time-saving benefits, highlighting the need for human oversight and the challenges faced by newsrooms in the global south.

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Posted 8/21/2023, 7:55:00 PM