The AI-generated (fake) Pentagon explosion video rattles markets and people
Week of May 23, 2023. Issue 9.
Our generation has lived through April Fool’s jokes, deep fakes and cycles of mass mis and disinformation. It’s not new to us that people on the internet are looking for clicks and engagement, and that some are simply looking to panic the masses for no gain other than…humor? Satisfaction?
On Monday, May 22, 2023 a video that many are saying was AI-generated was posted on twitter and quickly began to be re-shared. This image and the rate at which it was shared caused some panic and a brief but noticeable dip in the stock market. In a joint statement on Twitter, the Department of Defense’s Pentagon Force Protection Agency and Arlington County fire department put out a joint statement saying, “There is NO explosion or incident taking place at or near the Pentagon reservation, and there is no immediate danger or hazards to the public.”
We’ve officially arrived at the point in time when people are having to be on the defensive when news breaks. We can’t just accept the news for what it is and parse through the partisan tone to draw our own conclusions. We now have to actively question - is this actually real?
This is exactly the kind of thing that AI researchers, creators and ethicists have feared for so long - it’s not the technology taking over the world in a robot uprising. It’s the misuse of technology that can swing economies and confuse people, spreading panic and damage.
Right now, the only advise that people have is this: stay sharp. If a story comes up, check it with more than one news source. See if there are first hand accounts of the situation in question, or whether the only news is the one clip or photo posted.
Frame AI is having a MOMENT. Founded in 2016, the company is exploding having raised $17.9M for their series B funding. They created artificial intelligence software to solve customer challenges and understand the actual cost of those customer challenges, making companies more attuned to their customer’s needs and better quipped to solve problems. This leads to better connection with a company’s product team and better decision making around how to build out a team. And they’re hiring.
Tech Leaders are mentioning AI a LOT during earnings calls. (Fox Business)
Adobe is integrating AI into Photoshop (The Guardian)
What Bill Gates has to say about AI, Google and Amazon (CNBC)
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The Center for AI and Digital Policy offers policy clinics, and they look amazing. If you’re interested in AI policy, this might be for you! I’m hoping to apply for the Fall 2023 session.