The usage of AI on social media is inevitable, but there are many aspects that users should be aware of, especially when it can put the user at risk. Mentioned before was the usage of deepfakes, which can manipulate an image or video to represent something that may have consequences, even though it was never done or said in the first place. Not only can it affect figures of a higher power like politicians, but it can also happen to the common man, either for entertainment purposes or doctoring footage to cause harm. Depending on the individual’s connections with other people, AI usage can be dangerous in terms of slandering an individual based off false pretenses. Regarding both the common man and politicians, situations can escalate tensions to the point of no return, even without verifying the source. It affects all places in the media, where it can be difficult to tell if something is truthful or doctored.
Although AI can be used for efficiency, there are certain points where it can be too efficient and information can be widespread at an alarming rate, especially if it includes bits of false information about a certain topic. As AI is automated, the rate that it can spread information is significantly increased compared to human output, which in turn can have harmful consequences for spreading information. It can also be liable for any misleading personalized campaigns, which create deceiving content aimed at changing viewpoints and spread misinformation about certain topics. AI can also be used as a method of exploiting its users by tapping into the system and changing the algorithm to showcase extremist content without being flagged.
For an artificial intelligence system to improve, it requires data to learn from, in which humans and individuals are susceptible to unauthorized data collection. This results in algorithms changing to fit the user’s personal preferences, which can be beneficial, but there is a risk that can be exploited if there were a cyber-attack. Cyber-attacks can extract personal data and critical information from the platform’s users and can be used as a ransomware tactic for money. Not only do cybercriminals benefit from data collection, many companies and even the government could use AI to monitor individuals, which calls for a concern in data privacy and civil liberties.
Luckily, artificial intelligence doesn’t have to be a completely risky endeavor, as it can assist individuals against these security concerns. Current forms of AI can detect if there is any form of AI-generated content, which helps to distinguish what is the truth and what is doctored. AI training is also an important factor in protecting individuals from cyber-attacks, such as utilizing machine learning and complex inputs to discover any vulnerabilities within a system. The more methods that are tested within AI, the more resilient the system gets. Outside of using AI to protect individuals, it also falls on humans to perform regular security audits to check if any method needs updating to ensure the highest level of security against cyber-attacks. This also helps with protecting the data privacy of individuals. It also helps for an AI system to be transparent with its users, especially on why the system is collecting personal data.