I2SC Lecture Series (Recording): Dilrukshi Gamage (Computational Social Science, University of Colombo), The Rise of Generative AI: Exploring Trust, Believability, and Social Media Dynamics

Date: June 14, 2024

Abstract: We have entered a new era of artificial intelligence (AI), characterized by the rapid proliferation of Generative AI (GenAI) and its numerous applications. As humans, our interactions with “content” in various forms, including text, images, and videos, have undergone a profound transformation due to the integration of AI technologies. It has become increasingly challenging to discern whether we are communicating with a human or an AI model. Concurrently, the content generated using Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI-synthesized images and videos using Diffusion models have significantly altered our perspectives in the real world and on social media.

In certain instances, we encounter AI-generated fake profiles during job screening or marketing. In other cases, we are confronted with AI-generated fake videos, such as deepfakes, on social media, which purport to depict actions that never actually occurred. Notably, in an era of clickbait-incentivized social media platforms, deepfakes and other forms of appealing AI-generated content significantly increase human engagement, leading to various potential outcomes, both positive and negative.

It remains uncertain how we can establish trust in AI or how society will be impacted on a large scale by AI-generated content. Several questions arise: How much will share, incorporate, and interact with content created by AI? Will people “trust” the outcomes generated by AI? Will people believe what the majority share on social media?

In this presentation, I intend to engage in critical discussions on the topic of trust in AI, present empirical research findings on the believability and shareability of synthetic content, and explore the broader societal implications of GenAI applications and interactions.

You can watch the recording of the talk below. 


 



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