Generative AI technology has come a long way in recent years, with the ability to create stunningly realistic content such as images, speeches, and videos. However, this has also led to a growing concern about the potential for fake content to proliferate and the difficulty in distinguishing it from real content. The impact on our information ecosystem and our trust in visual evidence could be profound.
As generative AI technology becomes more widespread, we may see a breakdown in trust in the authenticity of visual evidence. With videos, images, and other content becoming increasingly easy to manipulate, it may become harder to determine what is real and what is fake. This could lead to a more chaotic information ecosystem, with a more significant potential for misinformation and confusion.
One potential intervention that could help mitigate the problem of fake content is watermarking. By providing a visible marker of authenticity and ownership, watermarking could help prevent forgery and provide a way to prove the authenticity of the content. For example, Getty Images uses visible watermarks to protect its assets while still allowing customers to browse images freely. This serves as an effective example of watermarking in action.
Technologically feasible interventions like watermarking are necessary to prevent the distortion of reality caused by the proliferation of fake videos and images. Without such interventions, society may be faced with an increasing amount of fake content that is difficult to distinguish from real content. This could have far-reaching consequences for our ability to trust what we see and hear in the world around us.
A proactive approach is necessary to address the potential misuse of generative AI, particularly in media and journalism. The average person cannot reliably distinguish between an AI-generated and a real image of a person, which could lead to the manipulation of reality. As such, society needs to take action to ensure the ethical use of AI technology and prevent its abuse for malicious purposes, including misinformation and a breakdown of trust in visual evidence.
