Jim Steyer, Founder of Common Sense Media, talks about the pivotal year for democracy in 2024, concerns over Facebook's readiness, the impact of TikTok as a news source, AI-powered misinformation, and the need for regulation outside of Washington. Steyer also discusses Elon Musk's actions at Twitter and the best and worst case scenarios for 2024.
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Quick takeaways
The impact of social media platforms and big tech companies on democracy will be amplified in the upcoming 2024 election cycle, especially with the rise of AI tools and the ease of generating believable misinformation using AI.
Tech leaders need to take responsibility for the rise of AI and its potential impact on elections by ensuring good and ethical leadership, restaffing trust and safety divisions at companies like Twitter and Facebook, and holding platforms like TikTok accountable as a significant source of news for young people.
Deep dives
The Impact of Social Media and AI on Democracy in the 2024 Election
The upcoming 2024 election cycle, both in the United States and globally, will have significant implications for democracies, children's futures, and the global leadership role of the United States. The impact of social media platforms and big tech companies on democracy will be amplified in this election year, especially with the rise of AI tools. Concerns arise due to the ease of generating believable fake videos, audio, and text using AI. Trust and safety divisions at platforms like Twitter and Facebook have been gutted, leaving them ill-equipped to control misinformation. The social media industry, as a whole, needs to be held accountable for the spread of misinformation and the risks it poses to democracy. Public awareness, staffing up trust and safety divisions, and increased regulation are crucial to mitigate the worst outcomes.
The Need for Tech Leadership and Accountability
The rise of AI and its potential impact on elections requires tech leaders to step up and take responsibility. Ensuring good and ethical leadership at tech companies is essential. Companies like Twitter and Facebook should be compelled to restaff their trust and safety divisions, which have been largely dismantled. TikTok, as a major platform used by young people as a news source, also plays a significant role and should be held accountable. Critical issues related to democracy and the impact of technology require the collective effort of individuals, tech companies, and advocacy groups like Common Sense Media to preserve and protect democracy.
The Responsibility of Citizens in Protecting Democracy
Protecting democracy is a collective responsibility that extends beyond technology companies. Citizens should actively engage in the electoral process, especially in critical battleground states, and ensure the sanctity of elections. Efforts like volunteering at precincts, educating oneself, and participating in activism are crucial in safeguarding democracy. The power lies with the people and their involvement in preserving the truth, fighting misinformation, and upholding democratic norms.
The Optimism and Challenges of Regulating Technology
While the tech industry wields significant power, there is optimism for meaningful regulation and governance. Countries like California, Europe, and Australia have taken steps in regulating tech companies and protecting user privacy. The need for regulations around AI, social media, and misinformation remains paramount. Holding tech companies accountable, implementing penalties for misuse, and pushing for ethical leadership are essential steps in ensuring a safe and democratic future. While challenges exist in accomplishing meaningful regulation in Washington, efforts by advocacy groups, public awareness campaigns, and judicial action contribute to the long-term win for democracy and social responsibility.
The Sunday Times’ tech correspondent Danny Fortson brings on Jim Steyer, founder of Common Sense Media, the leading online advocacy group, to talk about 2024 as a pivotal year for democracy (4:20), whether Facebook is ready (8:30), Tiktok (10:10), AI-powered misinformation (12:30), why he’s more worried than ever for democracy (17:10), why he thinks regulation will come, but not from Washington (21:30), X under Musk (27:40), the low-hanging fruit (32:00), and the best and worst case for 2024 (33:50).