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Manila Bulletin devider Technews devider 2025: The year of the AI slop

2025: The year of the AI slop

Published Jan 8, 2025 05:01 am

Generative AI is just one part of the whole AI thing. So, if you’re talking about AI, make sure you’re being specific because not all AI is generative AI. Oh, and by the way, the term “artificial intelligence” (AI) is a lot more catchy and impactful than what it really is, which is machine learning (machines, like computers, learn from patterns but aren’t really intelligent).

Generative AI models, like ChatGPT and Gemini, have been known to produce inaccurate or misleading information. From adding glue to pizza to suggesting we eat rocks, these models can generate misinformation. No, generative AI models do not hallucinate; in fact, they cannot as they’re not human. But hey, it’s not a bug, it’s just a feature of these models. And if you add audio, video, or photo generation to the mix, you’ll see even more AI inaccuracies. 

This year, the amount of low-quality AI we’re seeing will only increase as companies try sell you access to these models to recoup their investments in AI. AI Slop is everywhere online, but social media sites are the worst offenders. Check out X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and you’ll see tons of AI-generated content. And get this, AI-powered bots are even plaguing these sites. And to make matters worse, AI-powered search engines like Google Search are showing us more AI Slop than real and authentic human-produced content.

This year, we should be extra cautious about everything we see, read, and hear online. Every article, photo, sound, and video could be fake. There are more sneaky people using generative AI to spread lies on social media (which social media companies promote) than real, human-made stuff.

The TL;DR is that not all AI is created equal. Generative AI models can sometimes generate misleading or inaccurate information. Of course, non-generative AI models aren’t error-free either. When you read, watch, or hear about AI, make sure you know what kind it is. Also, be critical of what you see and hear, especially from the internet. Even live video or voice conference interactions can’t be trusted. Trust is becoming harder and harder to come by.

Be careful in the year of AI Slop.

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