There are so many more scams and fake identities and fake websites that I have to be very careful how I use the internet and I have to be suspicious of every website and every online person that isn't already well known to me.
Now there's the extra possibility that something I'm reading or looking at is actually an AI creation and not the genuine article.
I don't like having to be so distrustful, but if I took everything at face value I would soon be in big trouble from innocently responding to something that was totally bogus.
People have lost tens of thousands of pounds, or even their entire life savings, by being too gullible and believing a cleverly presented website that promises instant fortunes from some sure-fire investment.
Or someone claims their child has cancer and asks for donations for some life-saving surgery. No surprise when it turns out their child is completely healthy.
I don't like being so suspicious, it's a deadening emotion.
It's sad that we have always be on guard. I never answer my phone if it's a number that's unknown to me and I delete all emails from unknown addresses, if they manage to bypass my spam settings.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Like you, I ignore phone calls from callers I don't recognise and I delete suspicious emails (and Facebook posts)
DeleteAI is bringing a whole new level of risk. I personally don't like it and feel it's going to be regretted. It's like people don't matter.
ReplyDeleteSandra: How can you tell that something is an AI creation and not the real thing? I could be unwittingly responding to a complete fake.
DeleteFor Youtube, sometimes down in the comments someone will tell us it's AI.
ReplyDeleteI find it useful to click on "more" and scroll down and right near the end it will say whether it's AI, perhaps with "made using public sources..."
I e-mailed my member of parliament about AI impersonating known people on Youtube, saying that I didn't want him impersonated, and he replied that they are looking into legislation for it.
Sean: Well, I guess telling you it's AI is more honest than using AI but not saying so. And yes, impersonation is objectionable, but how on earth do you stop it? Will any legislation be adequate?
DeleteNick, there is a simple solution to escape. Shut down the social media apps , especially as we know who is manipulating behind. Thiel, Musk, Zuckerberg ,Bezos and all the Silicone Valley community.. A state inside an already horrible government . How did we manage our life before ?
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: Indeed, I wonder why so many people keep using social media when it's so negative in all sorts of ways. I use Facebook to keep in touch with a few friends and that's it. And as you say, how did we manage things before? We all got on with our lives somehow without the need for these electronic props.
DeleteI don't use any social media. I have blogs I read and one RV forum I participate in but no actual social media. Why risk it?
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: Yes, why take the risk of frequenting social media when it's so destructive - and subject to all sorts of scams?
DeleteIt is a shame but I am not on social media & follow precautions to avoid scams.
ReplyDeletePaula: Very sensible to avoid social media altogether.
DeleteThere have always been con men and scams, it's just that now they don't knock on the door.
ReplyDeleteThe maxim "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" still works.
Kylie: Yes, there have always been conmen but I think social media provides a huge number of easy targets to hack into.
DeleteI think AI pictures, videos ect need to be labeled AI.
ReplyDeleteMary: AI-assisted videos, photos etc should definitely be labelled as such. Otherwise we're being duped without realising.
DeleteI suppose I partly avoid deadening suspicion by deciding in advance to say no to spending any money for any reason. Then I can look cheerfully innocent while saying no.
ReplyDeleteSean: That's a good tactic. I seldom buy anything online, I prefer to do my shopping in the high street if I can.
DeleteNick, it is unfortunate that everyone needs to be more vigilant now, but there are unscrupulous scammers and spammers willing to take advantage of people. Like others who commented, I try to be as careful as possible. I have set my cell phone screens callers not in my contacts and will not ring. The same screening applies to emails and texts which if unknown are blocked and deleted. Blogging is my only social media outlet and I always report spam comments. Amazingly, it has cut down on those. Our intake of junk mail, solicitations, catalogs is almost nil.
ReplyDelete