Excessive Emphasis on Artificial Intelligence Has Drained the 'Community' Spirit from Social Networking Sites
Last week, BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti raised concerns about social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook parent Meta, accusing them of prioritizing technology and AI over content. He argued that these platforms promote content that evokes strong emotions, often leading to negative outcomes and decreased user satisfaction.
Peretti's comments came alongside the announcement of BuzzFeed's entry into the social media space with a platform aimed at promoting joy and creative expression. While Peretti's critique highlighted the role of AI in shaping social media content, he didn't necessarily place blame on the technology itself.
Dr. Pablo Rivas, a Computer Science assistant professor at Baylor University, explained that AI systems used by social media platforms excel at predicting individual preferences and surfacing the most clickable material. This can unintentionally reward sensational or divisive content. However, Rivas emphasized that AI can also be a powerful tool for facilitating positive online interactions, provided it's used thoughtfully, in alignment with ethical principles such as transparency, fairness, and respect for user autonomy.
Meanwhile, negative impacts of AI in social media have also been reported. The technology has enabled the spread of misinformation, often by generating misleading images or videos. In many cases, AI is making social media less "social," encouraging shorter attention spans and simpler content consumption. This effect, known as cognitive offloading, may result in a decrease in critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Virtual assistants and chatbots, which simulate social interaction, also raise concerns about social fragmentation and loneliness. While AI may not be solely responsible for the issues plaguing social media, it isn't making the situation any better.
However, the problem may not lie with AI as much as with how it is being used by social media platforms. To harness the positive potential of AI, social media platforms would need to rethink their strategies, focusing on content that encourages productive, respectful conversations and employing human oversight to maintain ethical standards.
Researchers have suggested that algorithms should prioritize content that fosters constructive dialogues and avoid promoting negative emotional states, such as anger. Human moderators could also provide necessary oversight to ensure that AI tools are not being used to manipulate or spread misinformation.
In conclusion, the use of AI in social media is multifaceted and can have both positive and negative impacts. While it presents opportunities for increased efficiency, personalization, and user experience, it also raises concerns about misinformation, manipulation, and ethical breaches. A balanced approach, incorporating human oversight and ethical guidelines, can help maximize the benefits of AI in social media while minimizing downsides.
- Jonah Peretti, the CEO of BuzzFeed, recently voiced concerns about social media platforms like TikTok and Meta, criticizing their focus on technology and AI over content.
- Peretti's concerns about social media platforms align with BuzzFeed's new entry into the social media space, aiming to promote joy and creative expression.
- Dr. Pablo Rivas, a Computer Science professor, explained that AI systems used by social media platforms excel at predicting individual preferences and surfacing clickable content, which can unintentionally reward sensational or divisive content.
- Misinformation has become a significant issue on social media, with AI enabling the spread of misleading images or videos.
- AI is also contributing to the decrease in "social" interactions on social media platforms, encouraging shorter attention spans and simpler content consumption.
- Researchers suggest that algorithms should prioritize constructive dialogues and avoid promoting negative emotional states to mitigate the negative impacts of AI in social media.
- To harness the positive potential of AI in social media, platforms need to focus on content that encourages productive conversations and employ human oversight to maintain ethical standards.
