Deception has been the calling card of politics since the first politician kicked off a campaign. Fake news is a term used like a soccer ball in search of a goal. What that goal is may not be the truth.

It has gotten to the point where truth and transparency signal the opposite. Where does it all end? Certainly not with artificial intelligence (AI).

The Detection of AI Deception

Are you as tired as I am of asking, “Is this AI?” and more often than not finding out the answer is, “Yes”? Sure, there are still telltale signs of AI.

But for all the clues, the more proficient AI-generated products scoop up the best of us. I was devastated when I learned the feel-good videos of shelter dogs choosing their owners were AI fakes. Turns out, feel-good animal videos are often AI fakes.

That is one reason AI deceptions are evil.

• Okay, maybe slightly overstated, but come on.
• Playing off the emotions of dog lovers.
• Despicable.

Certainly, AI-generated posts designed for deception and misinformation (hello, politics) are the embodiment of evil. But even if the intent is to produce more clicks, shares, and sales, deception is not good business.

AI on Steroids

AI is out of control. Profit-seeking mega companies have sunk huge investments into AI and are bulldozing their way to overtake the way business is done.

People are not happy.

Before you dismiss this as an out-of-touch boomer ranting, check out this Guardian article. The article discusses why pro-AI commencement speakers heard resounding boos at recent ceremonies.

The author quoted a Cornell University professor who explained “these tech executives are not reading the room…” After spending thousands of dollars on obtaining a degree, the graduates do not want to be told it may have all been a waste of time.

Students are not alone in their anger against the full-steam-ahead of AI implementation.

• Communities have banded together to stop the opening of data centers.
• Copyright holders have filed lawsuits over the unauthorized use of their books and work.
• Job applicants are fighting back, too, filing a lawsuit over the use of AI hiring tools.

Whether you are an AI fan or staunch opponent, wouldn’t you like to make your own choices? Few things frustrate people more than having no say in action affecting their own lives. Coupled with today’s political dumpster fire, it is easy to feel like we have little control over anything.

Good Business Practices

When I started my career as a business writer, I recall being gobsmacked by some of the exchanges I saw online. And the most surprising element was that they took place on supposedly business networking sites.

Good business starts with communication.

When it comes to AI, it would be nice to know what you are looking at. If AI is used, say so. I use Canva Pro for most of my marketing efforts. I thought I was diligent in avoiding their many AI features. Apparently, I was wrong.

• I often use templates submitted by artists supplying Canva.
• I choose a template and then tweak it for my needs.
• Frequently, it ends up much different than original.

However, I thought if the template I selected had used AI, it would indicate that. From what I am reading, that is not the case. Again, if you choose to use AI or not, I believe you should have a choice in deciding if you want to. In some cases, it is difficult to detect. We shouldn’t have to guess.

We are required to disclose if we receive affiliation payments when we endorse something. Why shouldn’t we have to disclose the use of AI? I get that it’s a tool. But with most tools, you decide how and when it’s used. That choice is taken from us.

Think about this. A longtime, professional writer friend of mine recently shared that a client of hers submitted her article she wrote for them to an AI platform. WITHOUT. TELLING. THE. WRITER.

I am sure the client thought it was no big deal. As a professional writer, I can tell you, it’s a very big deal. Like me, she does not want to feed the AI machine with her blood, sweat, and tears work so AI can steal her words and use them again and again without payment.

I also have a graphic artist I love. He has done many of my book projects and branding. Because I feel his pain of making a living as an independent business owner, I choose him over AI. My choice. Right?

What do you think? Should there be more guardrails with AI? Leave your thought under Comments.

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Credit: Canva