Recent online and public appearances by Donald Trump have sparked questions and concern regarding his behavior. He has been observed sharing AI-generated content, including a video of himself promoting “med bed hospitals,” a conspiracy theory. Furthermore, Trump has made confusing statements, such as confusing countries and claiming unfounded medical connections. These incidents, coupled with unusual remarks during official events, have prompted criticism and raised concerns about his cognitive state.
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Business Insider’s recent announcement of going “all-in” on AI, coupled with a 21% staff reduction, has sparked considerable discussion. The move isn’t entirely surprising, given the perception that the publication’s content already leaned heavily on low-effort articles; many believe AI could easily replicate, if not improve upon, this existing quality.
This decision, however, raises concerns about short-sightedness. The history of similar corporate strategies suggests a potential cycle of layoffs followed by re-hiring, as companies grapple with the unexpected complexities of replacing human expertise with AI. The sheer volume of work involved in transitioning to AI-driven content creation may necessitate more staff, rather than fewer, in the short term.… Continue reading
A US government report, authored by the Make America Healthy Again Commission and led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., claimed a “chronic disease crisis” in American children, citing poor diet, environmental toxins, and overmedicalization as contributing factors. However, the report included seven fabricated sources, with academics wrongly attributed as authors denying the existence of the cited studies. Following the discovery of these non-existent sources, the report was amended, though the White House maintained the report’s core conclusions. This incident prompted criticism from the Democratic National Committee and raises concerns about the validity of the report’s findings.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” report, commissioned by the Trump administration and touted as scientifically rigorous, contains fabricated studies and misrepresentations of existing research. An investigation revealed seven nonexistent studies, including purported research on ADHD medication and asthma overprescription, with researchers denying authorship. The report also mischaracterized several genuine studies, distorting their findings to support its conclusions. These citation failures are particularly concerning given Kennedy’s recent attacks on established medical journals and his plans for government-controlled publications. A forthcoming children’s health report raises further concerns about the administration’s reliance on this flawed research.
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A surge in pro-Russian content on platforms like Substack exhibits striking uniformity in messaging, mirroring Kremlin narratives and often blaming NATO or portraying Ukraine negatively. The high frequency of near-identical posts across numerous blogs suggests coordination, potentially aided by AI-generated text. Strategic language switching to Russian further amplifies the reach and perceived authenticity of this disinformation campaign. This coordinated effort creates a distorted online landscape, masking its origins and giving a veneer of legitimacy to pro-Kremlin viewpoints.
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France and Germany, along with several other European nations, are pushing the EU Commission to take decisive action against foreign interference in European elections. This urgent call highlights a growing concern that external actors are actively manipulating information and attempting to sway electoral outcomes across the continent.
The core of the problem lies in the unchecked power of social media platforms. The suggestion to ban platforms like Twitter and Facebook outright mirrors similar calls for action against TikTok in the United States. This drastic measure, while controversial, underscores the perceived inability of these platforms to effectively regulate the spread of disinformation and propaganda.… Continue reading
A UK parliamentary inquiry will summon Elon Musk, alongside Meta and TikTok executives, to testify regarding the role of their platforms in spreading disinformation, particularly concerning recent UK riots and the misuse of AI-generated content. The inquiry will investigate the links between social media algorithms, generative AI, and the proliferation of harmful or false information, focusing on incidents like the spread of Islamophobic misinformation following the Southport killings. The investigation will also examine Silicon Valley business models that incentivize the dissemination of misleading and harmful content. This inquiry follows rising concerns that UK online safety laws are insufficient to address rapidly evolving technological advancements and the manipulation of platforms for political purposes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood