MediaSmarts highlights the importance of understanding AI’s role in misinformation to develop the critical skills needed to navigae today’s digital world.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing our digital world, bringing both exciting opportunities and new challenges, particularly in the realm of misinformation. Whether we know it or not, we’ve likely all seen images or video that have been created or digitally manipulated using AI tools. We can no longer believe everything we see and to navigate this massive shift, it’s more important than ever to develop strong digital media literacy skills.
Digital media literacy is defined by MediaSmarts as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media effectively, which includes being able to critically assess the content we see online. This also means understanding how AI works and how it can be used to generate convincing but fabricated content.
One of the most concerning aspects of AI is generative AI, which allows computers to create content like text, images and even videos based on what they’ve learned. This has led to the rise of easily created deepfakes, which are manipulated videos or images where someone’s likeness is replaced or altered to make it seem like they are saying or doing something they aren’t. As AI technology advances, it becomes increasingly difficult to rely on technical clues like inconsistencies in facial features or body parts to spot deepfakes.
So how can we equip ourselves to identify and combat misinformation in this age of AI? First, it’s crucial to always verify the source of information we see online. Checking a source’s reputation and track record, through a web search or a quick look at their Wikipedia page, can provide insights into their history of accuracy. Another strategy anyone can use is to try reverse image searching, using tools like TinEye to trace where an image originally came from. This allows you to see if it has been shared by a reputable source or if an old image is being repurposed for a new, possibly misleading, context.
Another easy way to see if something online is true is to consult fact-checking websites or search engines to confirm the validity of information before you believe or share it. It’s also important to be wary of content that triggers strong emotions. As the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security advises, “If it raises your eyebrow, it should raise questions.” This highlights the importance of a critical mindset.
Beyond these practical steps, it serves everyone well to understand the basics of AI. Learning about algorithms, machine learning and generative AI will help you identify potential biases and limitations in AI-generated content. It’s important to remember that AI algorithms can inherit and amplify societal biases from the data they are trained on. For example, studies have shown that facial recognition technology can be less accurate for people of colour, reflecting existing biases in our society.
In essence, AI is a double-edged sword; it can be a powerful tool for both positive and negative purposes. By developing strong digital media literacy skills, you can harness the benefits of AI while mitigating the risks of misinformation. By staying informed and applying critical thinking, you can ensure a safer and more informed online experience for yourself and others.
To learn more, visit mediasmarts.ca.
