941 tacks
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 Meta enabled significant research access, critics noted limitations in independence and data transparency.
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 this as a compliance measure, sparking criticism from journalists and the Canadian government.
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 Indigenous Australians, public debate, and unity, while advocating for media accountability.
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 ensure transparency and protect democratic processes ahead of key elections in 2024.
Australia lagging in protecting teens from ‘dark rabbit holes’ on TikTok
Mental health experts are concerned about the rise in dangerous self-harming trends among adolescents, particularly on TikTok. They argue that social media algorithms promote harmful content, including self-harm and disordered eating, and that Australian authorities are not doing enough to protect young people. While tech companies enforce safety measures, experts emphasize the need for stricter regulations and parental involvement to combat the negative impact of social media on adolescent well-being.
AI likely to spell end of traditional school classroom, leading expert says
AI advancements could transform education with personalized virtual tutors, offering global access and effectiveness comparable to one-to-one teaching. While this could reduce traditional teacher roles, social and ethical concerns persist. Risks include indoctrination, misuse by authoritarian regimes, and uncontrollable AI behavior. Policymakers face challenges in managing these transformative technologies.
How we can teach children so they survive AI – and cope with whatever comes next | George Monbiot
The article critiques the inadequacy of education systems in preparing individuals for rapid societal, technological, and environmental change. It advocates for interdisciplinary learning, metacognition, and meta-skills like resilience and creativity. Rigid curricula, excessive testing, and political influence stifle adaptability, limiting our ability to address complex global challenges effectively.
Apocalypse not now? AI’s benefits may yet outweigh its very real dangers
A new Cambridge University institute will study AI's societal impact, balancing its risks—such as unemployment, disinformation, and bias—with its benefits, like advances in medicine and energy efficiency. Leaders stress interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing gender disparity in AI to ensure equitable and responsible technological development.
BookTok encourages reading as an aesthetic and no one is safe from its gaze
TikTok’s BookTok turns reading into a highly aestheticized activity where books function as identity markers. Algorithms sort users into archetypes like the "sad girl" or "dark academia" reader, emphasizing books’ appearances and associated lifestyles. This trend drives consumerism, shapes public perception of reading, and transforms books into accessories for personal branding.
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