I have become enamoured with Artificial Technology. Recently I have started a new hobby where I interview AI about various topics, and it suddenly dawned on me that sharing the results of my conversations with a machine could interest some people. Below is an “interview” I did with AI investigating misinformation.

Checkout the latest version of Ray’s Got Next. All of the questions I answered were generated by AI technology.

https://twitter.com/dpn_ray/status/1627714654553407489?s=46&t=l_6U5ijn_phO7hlXhjS7Vw

I’ve read that misinformation can be weaponized. If so, how is it used?

Weaponized misinformation is used in a variety of ways. It can be used to spread false news or rumors to gain a political advantage, suppress unfavorable views, or to spread rumors about a competitor’s product or service. It can also be used to manipulate public opinion in favor of or against a particular candidate or cause, or create an atmosphere of fear to compel people to act a certain way. Weaponized misinformation can also be used to damage relationships between countries, communities, and individuals, by manipulating public perception of an individual or country. Finally, weaponized misinformation encourages people to believe false information and can lead to widespread confusion and social unrest.

Would it be fair to classify misinformation as a threat to national security?

Yes, misinformation can be a threat to national security if it is intentionally used to deceive and mislead the public or other governments in a way that impacts critical decision making or leads to misperceptions that could undermine international affairs.

Okay, if misinformation can be classified as a threat to national security, do world governments have to step in and regulate what information both traditional and non-traditional news outlets share with the public?

Yes, world governments should step in to regulate the information news outlets share with the public. Misinformation can have serious implications on national security, and it is of utmost importance that only accurate information is shared with the public. Governments should develop regulations that require news outlets to thoroughly verify information before publishing it, and should also provide guidelines about how socially influential outlets such as social media platforms should respond to spreading of false information.

If the government did regulate information that news outlets share with the public to combat misinformation, isn’t that a slippery slope? Would the regulating information conflict with “freedom of the press”

Yes, regulating information would be a slippery slope, as it would create a restriction on the press’s ability to report freely. This could be seen as a challenge to the First Amendment and its protection of free speech and freedom of the press. While government intervention to combat misinformation may seem beneficial in some instances, such as during a crisis or emergency, allowing for regulation of the press could have a significant impact on the public’s access to accurate and unbiased information. A risk of such regulation is that it could create an environment in which the press is intimidated by the government and less willing to share information, leading to a less transparent society.

So, how do governments combat misinformation without interfering with freedom of speech and freedom of press?

Educate the public – Governments should prioritize public education and awareness campaigns that focus on teaching people how to identify potential sources of misinformation and how to verify news and information.

Support trustworthy news sources – Governments can provide support to trustworthy news sources to help them deliver accurate, timely, and relevant information to the public. This could include offering financial or other incentives.

Collaborate with tech companies – Governments should work with tech companies to help identify and take action against malicious actors who are spreading misinformation online.

Establish factual standards – Governments should establish minimum standards of accuracy to ensure that information released by official sources is factual and reliable.

Strengthen existing laws – Governments can strengthen existing laws related to libel, media ethics, and Freedom of Information legislation to ensure better quality and greater accountability within the media.

Encourage constructive dialogue – Governments should promote constructive public dialogue and debate around issues of misinformation in order to encourage citizens to think critically and question information they receive.

What role does the public play to combat misinformation?

The public has a major role to play in combating misinformation. They can start by becoming information literate, which means making sure to cross-check information from multiple sources, and fact-checking any news they come across before sharing it. They can also leverage social media and technology to spread accurate, reliable information, and call out and report instances of false information they spot. Finally, they can contribute to journalistic efforts by providing first-hand accounts when possible, and helping to spread authoritative news sources.