Estiedemann

Report

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was created with the goal of advancing society, providing numerous advantages in various sectors. However, its capabilities also come with significant downsides. AI has the potential to distort reality by creating content that appears realistic but is not. This distortion makes it challenging for audiences to distinguish between factual information and fabricated content. As new information on various topics emerges, it becomes increasingly difficult for the intended audience to recognize and differentiate the facts. High-quality information dissemination is crucial, yet it often struggles to capture the audience's interest. Good information can be harder to recognize and decipher amid a sea of content, with AI-generated false information often being more appealing and enticing. This phenomenon leads people to gravitate towards more interesting, but inaccurate, information, mistaking it for fact.

The growing role of AI in informing the public has come under scrutiny. While AI can serve as a valuable tool for moderation and control of content, its reliability in providing solid facts is less certain. The modalities through which information is transcribed and presented to the public are increasingly being questioned, especially with the rise in AI usage. Various platforms that encourage discussion and engagement on different topics are now further amplified by the increased accessibility of information. However, the credibility of the sources from which this substantial information is obtained has become a major debate. As AI becomes more integrated into our society, the challenge of recognizing credible or quality information continues to grow.

Online communities are vast and diverse, and engagement within these communities varies significantly. The concept of online community engagement is relatively new and has become more nuanced with the emergence of various platforms. Each platform offers unique features and discussion modalities. For instance, Wikipedia expects users to maintain a neutral tone and focus on factual information, while Reddit encourages users to voice their opinions, whether substantiated or not. This fundamental difference affects how topics are discussed on each platform.

Users often assume that there is a real person behind the content on these platforms, but as AI advances, distinguishing between authentic individuals and AI-generated content becomes increasingly difficult. Platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and Discord each have distinct ways of facilitating user engagement, which impacts how information is shared and perceived. The pursuit of credible information is now an increasing challenge as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated.

The credibility of information on platforms like Wikipedia is further complicated by the integration of AI. Facts come from diverse sources, including digital archives and historical records. For example, when researching for a South American bird fair article, finding credible sources and improving the Wikipedia entry involved using reliable online sources like the Cornell Ornithology website and various online journals. Language barriers limited access to some information, but these sources still provided a decent amount of credible data. The process highlighted the challenges of accessing information from different perspectives, particularly when language limitations are a factor.

The experience of researching the South American Bird Fair for my Wikipedia article introduced me to a new way of understanding the inception and art of curating a quality article for viewers to enjoy. The methodology utilized throughout the Wikipedia platform was more meticulous than anticipated. The process to attain what is considered to be credible information to include in my article was a surprisingly fascinating experience. Finding credible and appropriate articles for my research turned out to be more tumultuous than anticipated, but it became an enjoyable process to navigate and discover sources deemed appropriate for Wikipedia. Wikipedia’s expectation of its users to include quality material encourages user engagement. It requires a level of creativity and innovation that can be a fulfilling challenge, while also being educational for the writer and those interested in the topic.

The ability of users to integrate their accounts across multiple platforms, similar to using an Apple iCloud account, underscores the complexity of online engagement. It is essential to understand why users create accounts, what they post, and who their audience is, as this varies by platform. By considering a user's intent for participating on an online platform, crucial insights can be gained when navigating the influence of AI. AI, when used as a moderation tool, can control and divert unwanted content, providing users with options like "I'm not interested." However, AI's reliability in providing solid facts is significantly less assured.

Platforms such as Meta, Discord, and Reddit offer users a more personalized experience, which plays a significant role in shaping the information they access. While AI has many benefits, its efficacy declines when dealing with different languages and cultures, presenting a notable barrier. The complexity of online platforms is rapidly evolving with technological advancements, making it crucial to be mindful of users' intentions, the type of content they post, and their audience. Understanding these factors can help manage AI's influence more effectively.

AI plays a crucial role in moderating behavior on online platforms by filtering unwanted content. While AI may not catch everything, it can mitigate most unwanted behaviors, thus improving the overall user experience. AI can also assist with basic tasks like spelling and grammar, helping articles appear more polished. However, there are risks involved, especially for users who are not fluent in the language they are writing in. Unintended changes made by AI can alter the intended message, leading to potential misunderstandings.

When an online platform experiences a surge in user engagement, AI can help distinguish legitimate accounts from bots, maintaining the integrity of the community. Properly assimilating newcomers into various discussions benefits all participants. AI can guide new users, helping them understand the tone and style of interactions that are pre-existing. While AI is moderately effective at deterring unwanted behavior, it is not infallible. Inappropriate behavior may slip through the cracks, and simply banning users may not resolve the issue, as they might relocate their disruptive behavior to other platforms.

A more reasonable approach might involve starting with a warning and educating users about why their behavior is concerning. If the same mistakes are repeated, the platform can begin to restrict the user's access and privileges. Ultimately, the use of AI in moderation and the pursuit of credible information are ongoing challenges that require careful management and adaptation.

The emergence and increased usage of AI have transformed online platforms tremendously. AI tends to be more helpful with fulfilling tedious tasks that are otherwise time-consuming. However, with more sensitive matters, it appears to be a greater impediment, especially when needing to effectively and properly inform the population about various subject matters. While AI offers numerous benefits, its effectiveness diminishes when dealing with language and cultural barriers. Understanding user intent and the nature of the platform is essential in managing AI's influence. Proper moderation and education can improve user experiences and maintain credible information standards. As AI continues to evolve, finding the balance between its advantages and disadvantages will be crucial in ensuring that information remains reliable and trustworthy.

Bibliography