Artificial Intelligence Expert Warns of Impending Tsunami of Misinformation
For nearly three decades, Oren Etzioni, a prominent artificial intelligence researcher, was known for his optimism in the field. However, in 2019, Dr. Etzioni shifted his stance and became one of the first researchers to sound the alarm on the potential dangers of a new breed of A.I. that could accelerate the spread of disinformation online.
By mid-2021, Dr. Etzioni expressed deep concern that A.I.-generated deepfakes could significantly impact major elections. In response to this looming threat, he founded a nonprofit organization called TrueMedia.org in January, with the mission of combating the spread of digital disinformation.
Recently, TrueMedia.org released free tools designed to identify fake and doctored images, audio, and video content. These tools are intended for use by journalists, fact-checkers, and anyone seeking to discern the authenticity of online media.
Despite the development of these detection tools, Dr. Etzioni remains apprehensive about the future. He warned that the proliferation of A.I.-generated deepfakes poses a significant risk, especially in the lead-up to elections. The tech industry is also taking steps to address the issue, with companies like Google, Meta, and OpenAI implementing measures to limit the misuse of A.I. technologies for deceptive purposes.
However, the rapid advancement of generative A.I. systems presents a challenge in staying ahead of the creation of convincing deepfakes. Dr. Etzioni demonstrated how easily deepfakes can be created using existing tools, highlighting the potential impact on public perception and trust in information.
While efforts are underway to develop technologies for detecting and authenticating media content, Dr. Etzioni emphasized the need for collaboration among regulators, tech companies, and online platforms to effectively combat the spread of disinformation. Despite the ongoing efforts, he acknowledged that the likelihood of significant progress before upcoming elections is slim.
As the threat of misinformation continues to evolve, Dr. Etzioni stressed the importance of providing individuals with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about the content they encounter online. The battle against deepfakes and digital disinformation remains a complex and ongoing challenge that requires a multifaceted approach to address effectively.
