This past year, Taylor Swift made headlines about seeking her "authentic voice" during her renowned Eras Tour. Then, Merriam-Webster dictionary also asked us to "keep it real" by crowning "authentic" as 2023's word of the year. Yet, from the recent revelation of AI-generated audio recordings targeting Democratic voters in New Hampshire to the internet's royal scavenger hunt over "Katespircy," society's perception of reality and fabrication is blurring faster and with alarming ease. As a shadow of doubt casts over the integrity of our information system, there is only one thing that is transparent about 2024: we are entering a post-authentic world filled with skeptical thinking.
Whereas "authenticity" is the quality of being genuine, the term's meaning has undergone many transformations throughout history. While Rousseau argued that seeking validation from others diminishes authenticity, Sartre and Heidegger recognized the inevitable impact of external forces, including societal norms and the environment, on shaping our sense of self. Thus, in 2024, authenticity is entangled in a web of pop-culture worship, identity politics, and the relentless expansion of AI technology.
In 2016, a word coined as "Fake News" surfaced online. Although spreading false information, or lying, is as old as humanity, the actual meaning of this term is not what it seems. Especially adored by Donald Trump, former President of the United States, "Fake News" appeared in many of his tweets to rebut against reputable news sources. In Trump's consumption, "fake news" refers to contentious information that he disagrees with.
Since its emergence, "Fake News" has surfaced in over 29 million tweets, ensuring its fashionable presence in public discourse. While journalists on platforms like X continuously attempt to produce accurate and trustworthy news through fact-checking and verification processes, the culture of " fake news " undermines their credibility.
A survey conducted between 1973 and 2023 on Americans' Trust in Mass Media reported that a record-high 39% of Americans do not trust the media at all. As pop culture superpowers continue to feed into mainstream media, in 2024, our confidence in information systems will only continue to tarnish.
Last month, we witnessed a manipulated family photo and mysterious video of Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. Amidst these heated debates and conspiracies surrounding Kate's absence from the public eye, the internet elicited reactions far beyond conventional skepticism. Henry Ajder, an authority on AI and deep fakes, highlights a shift in discourse, noting that the growing awareness of AI-generated images has transformed our perceptions fueled by a climate of conspiracy thinking.
This new type of suspicion that we have towards the media also leads to the creation and spread of dangerous narratives. Although Kensington Palace reassured the public that the Princess is alive and well, social media's sensational coverage and rumors regarding "Katespiracy" urged Kate Middleton to feel the need to announce her cancer diagnosis publicly. As a result, public trust dynamics have irrevocably changed, now marked by distorted realities and a newfound sense of vulnerability against media.
These hazy lines between AI, fake information and distrust also threaten our vibrant democratic society as they infiltrate our political systems. Recently, a news article revealed that just before the primary elections in January, Democrats in New Hampshire received AI-generated phone calls from President Joe Biden discouraging citizens from voting. Although we later found out these were "deep fake" voice recordings, what is even scarier is that they can threaten the credibility of legitimate recordings, a phenomenon known as "liar's dividend."
Liar's Dividend can sow distrust through two theoretical channels. First, when initially accused of deep fakes, public uncertainty regarding the truth escalates, resulting in negative perceptions of a political candidate. Then, when politicians publicly address their non-involvement in the alleged incident, there is a shift in the perception of victimhood. Another result of Liar's Dividend is that such accusations can serve as rhetorical justification. Blaming the opposing party for the incident strengthens the politician's loyalty.
As deep fakes become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, their ability to deceive truth threatens our future, where authenticity becomes a daunting challenge. Although this incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address both the ethical and societal implications of AI technology to safeguard the integrity of elections, it also calls for individual citizens to be aware of their civic endeavors.
The emergence of our post-authentic world is far beyond just the advancement of technology; it is a social issue. Consequently, AI-generated content, fake news, or political propaganda, is not a technological and media problem alone. Thus, we must cultivate a culture of critical thinking and media literacy. Only through collective effort can we navigate the complexities of our post-authentic world and safeguard the principles of truth, transparency, and trust in our society. As we confront these challenges, let us heed Taylor Swift's call to be our "authentic selves."
Work Cited
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