# AI and the Evolution of Social Media
Over the past decade, social media has evolved from a platform celebrated for sparking democratic uprisings to one riddled with misinformation, conspiracy, malfeasance, and risks to mental health. Americans blame social media for the coarsening of political discourse and the spread of misinformation. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is the darling of the tech world, with the potential to revolutionize society in both positive and negative ways.
## Lessons from Social Media for AI Companies
Lessons from the unregulated evolution of social media can be directly applied to AI companies and technologies. Five fundamental attributes of social media—advertising, surveillance, virality, lock-in, and monopolization—have had negative impacts on society. AI also possesses these attributes, presenting similar risks. The key lies in limiting the use of these technologies to prevent harm.
### Advertising
Both social media and AI companies rely on advertising as a primary revenue source. AI-powered ads promise to be more effective through personalized targeting and manipulation techniques. The integration of ads within AI chatbots poses a significant risk to users, as the line between helpful information and sponsored content may blur.
### Surveillance
The drive for personalization in social media led to extensive surveillance of users. AI-powered platforms supported by advertisers face similar incentives to collect vast amounts of user data for targeted advertising. The potential for manipulation and data harvesting by AI personal assistants poses privacy concerns for users.
### Virality
Social media’s structure incentivizes the spread of sensational and triggering content for increased engagement. AI has the potential to amplify this issue through the rapid production and dissemination of false information. AI text generators and bot networks can further propagate viral misinformation.
### Lock-in
Social media platforms create barriers to user migration through data lock-in and network effects. Similarly, AI companies may make it challenging for users to switch to competing platforms or services. The potential for users to form emotional bonds with AI assistants adds another layer of lock-in.
### Monopolization
Tech platforms often start as innovative solutions before transitioning into dominant market players that prioritize profit over user experience. The cycle of exploitation and consolidation seen in social media is repeating in the AI industry. Antitrust laws and regulations are crucial for preventing monopolistic control and promoting competition.
## Mitigating the Risks of AI
To prevent the negative impacts of AI on society, regulations, transparency rules, oversight, and accountability measures are essential. Antitrust laws can help curb monopolistic tendencies in the AI industry. Governments can enforce advertising regulations to limit the engagement between AI providers and advertisers. Additionally, promoting open-source AI development and public-option AI tools can provide alternatives to corporate-controlled technologies.
### Key Points
– AI shares fundamental attributes with social media that have harmed society.
– Regulation, antitrust laws, transparency rules, and oversight are crucial for mitigating the risks of AI.
– Governments can enforce existing regulations on advertising and promote open-source AI development to provide alternatives to corporate-controlled technologies.
In conclusion, the lessons learned from the evolution of social media can guide the responsible development and use of AI technologies. By implementing appropriate regulations and fostering competition, we can ensure that AI benefits society without causing harm.