Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) was introduced in 1956 by John McCarthy, often referred to as the “father of Artificial Intelligence.” At that time, without advanced technology or devices, A.I. was not as fast or effective as it is today. A.I. began to see increased usage and speed from the 1980s onward.
In the 1980s, the first significant application of A.I. was in troubleshooting computer issues. By the 1990s, the creation of the World Wide Web led to the emergence of search engines, further integrating AI into everyday life.
The 2010s saw a surge of inventions incorporating A.I., including virtual assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri. These innovations revolutionized our interactions with technology and made A.I. a household name.
In the 2020s, A.I. usage exploded on social media platforms. It became capable of generating images, videos, art, and music, increasing public awareness of AI’s potential and future capabilities. Today, many people use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter/X, where AI is often employed, notably through Text-to-Speech technology. This feature allows users to create videos with background gameplay or discussion clips on various topics, such as crime stories, historical recounts, and popular Reddit stories, by simply typing what they want the A.I. to say, an especially popular practice on TikTok.
Another way A.I. is impacting social media is through the creation of videos featuring popular celebrities, athletes, and others, showcasing them doing anything users type in. While these videos can be amusing and entertaining, the individuals being depicted may not find them funny and could take offense.
One significant concern is the spread of misinformation through these A.I.-generated videos. While some people can easily identify misleading content, this is not always the case, especially among older generations. This could lead to rumors or fake news that some individuals may believe.
Although A.I. is not currently viewed as a threat, we can see how rapidly it has grown over the years, particularly in social media. As technology continues to improve, A.I.’s influence on social media is likely to expand even further in the years to come.
