Just Us/Kwame Salter
The AI Effect on Reality
“REALITY…WHAT A CONCEPT”
— ROBIN WILLIANS, LATE COMEDIAN
Over his brilliant career, the highly sensitive Robin William shared some really deep and humorous observations about life. Yet, of all his deep musings, the one that grabbed my attention and never let go was, “reality...what a concept.” When I first heard him say it, I thought it was funny. Still, the more I thought about it, I realized how profound this quip was given the current situation. In our chaotic and AI marred world today, we are constantly being bombarded with multiple ‘realities.’ What looks like reality is not real. Usually, behind all the creative AI videos and memes flooding our inboxes is a creative and often angry political activist/group. Using current technology, clever folks can create a ‘false reality’ that looks and sounds real. Fact is, we don’t know what’s real, fake or a combination of real and fake.
People’s faces, voices and mannerisms are blatantly stolen and projected as authentic. As a result, too many of our fellow citizens are convinced that these ‘fake’ videos/pictures are authentic. Scariest of all the implications is that we the people are asked to make decisions based on lies, slander and outright defamation of character. Candidates with questionable backgrounds and histories of chicanery have no incentive to respond to their unsavory past. Instead, they authorize “hit pieces” on their opponent. Consequently, important questions about an individual’s character are buried, dismissed or deemed incidental.
This current situation has resulted in the voters having to choose between “the lesser of two evils,” so to speak. The outstanding question is how we navigate between the multiple realities. It feels like prospecting for gold (the truth) every time we go online. The situation for We the People is getting worse by the moment. So, in the spirit of sharing my frustration and suggestions, I would submit the following perspectives on dealing with the AI matrix:
Validate accuracy of information via Wikipedia/Google
- Check the meme or photo to determine if AI has been used in the creation of said product.
- Google the individual(s) featured in the ad/promo
- Glean as much accurate, as possible, reporting for both local and national broadcasts
- Contact the candidate’s office and ask for an on-the-record response
- Think for yourself: Become your own mental editor