In 2021, Google unveiled LaMDA, a chatbot they claimed understood a multitude of topics enough to carry on a conversation. Its debut alarmed many experts who were concerned about the ethics of using LaMDA in search results. We trust search results because we think that they understand what we’re trying to say. In truth, the language models search engines and LaMDA are built upon are only “mindless mimics”. Machines with human-like speech, however, can trick people into thinking that machines understand what they’re saying. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
