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Is the AI boom already over?

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT initially sparked excitement and concern, with transformative potential and fears over job loss and misinformation. However, waning consumer interest, regulatory scrutiny, and accuracy issues have dimmed the hype. While Silicon Valley remains optimistic,

The fandomization of news

Gen Z fell headfirst into the world of influencers forced to report on and police themselves.

How two pop culture Twitter accounts turned into the internet’s wire service

Pop Crave and similar accounts like Pop Base and Pop Tingz blend pop culture updates with political news, gaining popularity as informal, fast-paced, and accessible alternative news sources. Their rise highlights shifts in digital media consumption, driven by

AI hysteria is a distraction: algorithms already sow disinformation in Africa

Global elections through 2024 face threats from AI-fueled disinformation, exacerbating longstanding issues with tech platforms like TikTok and Twitter. Exploiting weak algorithms, disinformation spreads easily, polarizing societies and undermining democracy, particularly in the Global South. AI’s rapid, extractive

A tsunami of AI misinformation will shape next year’s knife-edge elections | John Naughton

The 2024 elections in the US and worldwide pose high stakes for democracy, with social media and generative AI amplifying disinformation. While tools like AI can create credible fake content at scale, efforts to counter these risks focus

How Facebook does (and doesn’t) shape political views - The Verge

Recent studies examined Facebook's impact on political beliefs during the 2020 U.S. election, testing algorithmic changes like removing reshared posts or using chronological feeds. Results showed limited effects on polarization or attitudes, highlighting broader media ecosystem influences. While

Facebook and Instagram start blocking news in Canada

Meta is blocking all news content on Facebook and Instagram in Canada due to the Online News Act, which requires tech companies to pay publishers for news. The blocks affect both news publishers and shared links. Meta defends

News Corp bullies to be held accountable over one-sided Voice coverage

Murdoch media’s campaign against the Voice Referendum has drawn criticism for spreading misinformation and undermining democracy. Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission, led by Dr. Victoria Fielding, is scrutinizing News Corp’s biased coverage, highlighting its detrimental impact on

AI-enhanced images a ‘threat to democratic processes’, experts warn

Experts warn of AI risks in politics after a Labour MP shared a manipulated image of Rishi Sunak. Concerns grow over AI's potential to undermine elections, prompting calls for ethical principles, regulations, and watermarking of AI-generated content to