The panel also discussed the recent controversy surrounding a manipulated image of Kate Middleton, which many initially thought was the work of AI. While the incident was seen as a positive sign of media literacy, with many users rushing to debunk the image, it also underscored the need for stringent scrutiny of user-generated content, especially during an election year. Both CNN and The Washington Post had run the image on their homepages, but later had to issue corrections when irregularities were noticed. The incident was seen as a reflection of the challenges facing modern journalism in the age of AI and user-generated content.
Key takeaways:
- CNN correspondent Donnie O’Sullivan expressed concern about the potential for misinformation, including deepfakes, to influence the upcoming presidential election.
- During a SXSW panel, experts discussed the challenges of identifying AI-generated images and the need for media outlets to scrutinize user-generated content, even from official sources.
- The panel referenced a recent incident involving a manipulated image of Kate Middleton, which many initially believed was the work of AI, highlighting the public's awareness of generative AI’s capabilities.
- Despite companies like OpenAI and Anthropic implementing measures to prevent election disinformation, O’Sullivan expressed skepticism about their effectiveness, emphasizing the difference between having policies and acting on them.