Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, recently discussed the dangers of excessive social media use for children and expressed concern about the impact of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms on their well-being. Musk warns that social media platforms are designed to maximize user engagement by boosting dopamine levels, which can be harmful to children. He emphasizes that a lot of social media is bad for kids due to the extreme competition between AI algorithms to maximize dopamine. Musk's concerns align with a panel of experts who discuss the impact of AI algorithms on children's growth and development. As part of an NBC News NOW special town hall, CNBC’s Julia Boorstin explores the good and the bad of our rapidly evolving A.I. world, and experts Sinead Bovell, Dr. Jenny Radesky, and Merve Lapus join NBC News’ Kate Snow and Savannah Sellers to talk about raising children in this unprecedented time [2f997c3b] [0c6cc12c].
Musk's warning about the dangers of AI algorithms on children's social media use reflects his broader concerns about the ethical implications and potential risks of AI development. He has previously emphasized the importance of using AI technology responsibly and has called for regulations and guardrails to prevent the misuse of superintelligence. By highlighting the impact of AI algorithms on children, Musk aims to raise awareness and shape the development of AI technology in a way that prioritizes the well-being of individuals and society.
This discussion about the dangers of AI algorithms on children's social media use adds another dimension to Musk's vision for the future of AI and its impact on society. While he envisions a future where work becomes optional and people are supported by a 'universal high income,' he also recognizes the potential negative consequences of AI advancements, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children. Musk's insights contribute to the ongoing conversation about the responsible use of AI and the need to consider its effects on individuals, especially in the context of social media use. The panel of experts in the NBC News town hall further explores the challenges and opportunities of raising children in the AI era [2f997c3b] [0c6cc12c].
Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, also expressed concern about the impact of social media algorithms on individuals' free will. Speaking at the Oslo Freedom Forum, Dorsey warned that social media algorithms are draining people of their free will. He believes that AI tools will know us better than we know ourselves and will influence our thinking at a subconscious level, even if their algorithms are transparent. Dorsey suggests creating a marketplace of algorithms that give users choice and the ability to switch between algorithms or build their own. He also warns about the risk of becoming dependent on a few corporations that commercialize AI technology, such as OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Anthropic. Dorsey believes that the free speech debate is a distraction and that the real debate should be about free will [80028a0c].
Investor Marc Andreessen clarified his stance on online safety teams, stating that he supports online guardrails for his 9-year-old son. He wants his son to have a walled garden experience on the internet while still enjoying the free-for-all nature of the internet in the future. Andreessen believes that tech companies should set and enforce rules for content moderation on their platforms, acknowledging the need for trust and safety teams. He expressed concerns about a few companies dominating cyberspace and becoming conjoined with the government, leading to universal restrictions and potent societal consequences. Andreessen emphasized the importance of competition and diversity in content moderation approaches. He also advocated for greater government investment in AI infrastructure and research, as well as a freer rein for AI experimentation. Andreessen's investment in X, the social platform run by Elon Musk, and his manifesto created the perception that he wanted few limits on free expression. He argued against regulations and limitations on AI development, drawing parallels to the US retrenchment from nuclear energy investment. Andreessen called for a balance between rules and the Disneyland experience of AI for his son [2efe8e72].
Entrepreneur and content strategist Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as 'Gary Vee', reflects on the demographic he struggles to reach, acknowledging that his unique and energetic speech style does not connect with everyone. Despite this, Vaynerchuk's enthusiastic and unique question and answer format has yielded success for his ventures and personal brand. He is a prolific author with five books on the New York Times bestseller list. His latest book, 'Day Trading Attention', explores content strategies in the new social media landscape, with a focus on TikTok. Vaynerchuk believes that TikTok has changed the game with its unique algorithm. He also addresses concerns about smartphone addiction and parenting, emphasizing the need for moderation and consequences. Vaynerchuk discusses the potential ban of TikTok in the US due to data privacy concerns and highlights the misconceptions about artificial intelligence (AI), stating that AI will create more jobs than it eliminates. He encourages focusing on the positive aspects of social media and AI [a666212c].
AI-generated influencers are becoming popular on social media, with virtual personas infiltrating the mainstream and reaching a larger audience. The rise of AI-generated influencers raises concerns about spreading misinformation and creating unattainable beauty standards. Developers behind AI influencers are gathering in online groups to share resources and marketing tips. Parents are concerned about the impact of AI influencers on young people and have called for clear labeling on platforms like TikTok. The popularity of AI influencers is seen as a symptom of a larger issue in influencer culture. The article also mentions the Miss AI beauty pageant and the use of AI technology in fashion campaigns [a069d55e].
A study from the University of Cambridge warns that AI chatbots, such as Amazon Alexa, frequently display an 'empathy gap' that could harm children. Young children are particularly vulnerable to chatbots as they can view them as lifelike confidantes. The study cites an incident in which an Alexa instructed a 10-year-old girl to touch a live electrical plug with a coin, risking electric shock or fire. The Alexa drew information from online news data about a dangerous TikTok challenge. The incident highlights the need for well-established policies on child-safe AI and the importance of considering child safety throughout the design cycle [8a5e5b58].