News That Caught Our Eye
TikTok users being fed misleading election news, BBC finds
A BBC investigation found that TikTok is promoting misleading AI-generated videos about political leaders and misinformation to young voters. Content includes fake videos and abusive comments targeting politicians like Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak. TikTok stated it has increased efforts to counter misinformation, including fact-checking and AI-labelling technology, but the platform remains a hotbed for political manipulation ahead of the UK’s general election.
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California Working on ‘Responsible Adoption’ of Generative AI
California is taking a more measured approach to adopting generative AI than many states, with GovOps Secretary Amy Tong emphasizing strategic and responsible use recently. At one public hearing, Tong highlighted ongoing efforts to study and implement AI in state operations, focusing on enhancing worker efficiency without replacing jobs. Current pilot projects are being carefully monitored – to ensure safe and effective AI deployment in areas like healthcare, traffic safety, and business processes. The Associated Press also recently reported that California lawmakers have pushed forward further proposals targeting AI discrimination and deepfakes.
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Half of public thinks generative AI ‘important’ for improving government services
A new KPMG survey revealed that over half of respondents believe generative AI is important for enhancing government services, such as healthcare benefits or motor vehicle services. The survey also highlighted generational and regional differences in attitudes toward AI, with younger respondents and New Yorkers showing more optimism about AI's potential to improve public services. Concerns about cybersecurity and data protection in government agencies were also prominent.
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Google makes adjustments to AI Overviews after a rocky rollout
Google is modifying its AI Overviews feature after it delivered "odd and erroneous" responses. Introduced last month, AI Overviews aim to summarize information at the top of search results but faced criticism for generating unreliable and inaccurate information. For example, “in the few weeks since AI Overviews have been available to the public, people using Google Search have been advised to eat at least one small rock per day, and it told one user that a good way to get cheese to stick to pizza is to mix glue into the tomato sauce.”
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The bureaucracy’s onto AI
From Politico’s Washington Watch column: Agencies within HHS are exploring how AI can enhance their operations. So far, initiatives include using AI for clinical decision-making, remote monitoring, and call centers. The FDA plans to leverage AI to manage an influx of AI-driven medical products, while ARPA-H and the VA are looking at concerns around AI's impact on minority groups and integrating AI into clinical workflows.
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California teachers are using AI to grade papers. Who’s grading the AI?
California schools are increasingly using AI tools to grade papers and provide feedback, helping teachers save time and improve student learning experiences. While AI tools like Writable and GPT-4 offer faster feedback and allow for more assignments, concerns remain about accuracy and the need for human oversight. Many teachers find AI grading beneficial, but some notably emphasize the importance of spot-checking and maintaining critical analysis to ensure the technology aids, rather than replaces, their judgment.
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OpenAI Says Russia, China, and Israel Are Using Its Tools for Foreign Influence Campaigns
OpenAI has revealed the existence of covert influence operations conducted by groups from Russia, China, Iran, and Israel, leveraging its AI tools to manipulate public opinion. According to a new report, these groups used OpenAI's technologies for generating social media comments, articles, and images, creating fake account profiles, debugging code, and translating texts to support various propaganda campaigns. The Biden administration has yet to respond to the discovery.
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DOJ cites AI deepfake fears in withholding audio of Biden’s special counsel interview
The DOJ has refused to release an audio recording of President Biden’s interview with former special counsel Robert Hur, citing fears of AI-generated deepfakes. The department emphasized the risks of malicious actors manipulating the audio to spread disinformation on social media, despite the transcript already being public. According to Tech Times, “conservative legal organizations and House Republicans are putting considerable pressure on Biden's administration to compel the release of the tape.”
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Russia using AI in Olympics disinformation campaigns
Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center reported that Russian actors are using AI in disinformation campaigns targeting the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fake videos, images, and articles, including a phony Netflix documentary and counterfeit news reports, are being deployed to undermine the International Olympic Committee’s reputation and instill fear of violence at the games.
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