Can AI fix social media?

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Steve Mays

The social media platform Tik Tok is owned by a Chinese company which sucks up all kinds of data on the 108 million users in the U.S. and turns that over to the Chinese government. Not good. Looks like the company will be shut down or sold but isn’t this shutting the stable doors after the horses have bolted? I mean, the Chinese already have all that data. For clarification I had what turned out to be an interesting conversation with ChatGPT (below). I was particularly interested in how AI might be used to bring some order to the social media chaos. (near the bottom of this post)

ChatGPT: Steve-your point is valid and raises a crucial question about the effectiveness of such measures. If TikTok (or its parent company, ByteDance) has already collected significant amounts of user data, simply forcing it to sell or shut down wouldn’t erase the data that may already be in the hands of the Chinese government. The concern is more about future data collection and the ongoing influence the platform might have if it remains under Chinese ownership.

Here’s a bit more nuance to the issue:

1. Prevention of Future Data Harvesting. Even if past data is compromised, forcing TikTok to sell or shut down would prevent ByteDance (and by extension, the Chinese government) from continuing to gather new data from millions of users in the future. This could limit their ability to refine data-driven operations, like AI training or behavioral analysis, over time.
2. Limiting Influence and Control. Beyond data collection, there are concerns about the potential for Chinese government influence over TikTok’s algorithm. Critics worry it could be used to subtly promote or suppress narratives, potentially influencing public opinion or spreading propaganda.
3. Symbolic and Strategic Messaging. Forcing a sale or shutdown sends a strong geopolitical message. It demonstrates the U.S. government’s stance on data privacy and its willingness to confront perceived security threats. Even if the immediate impact on previously gathered data is negligible, it’s a statement of policy and a deterrent for future similar cases.
4. Possibility of Data Destruction. While it’s difficult to ensure, part of the negotiation in a sale could include terms requiring the deletion of previously collected U.S. user data from ByteDance’s systems. Although enforcement and verification are challenges, this could at least mitigate some concerns.
5. Control of the Platform’s Operations. A U.S.-based company owning TikTok would theoretically align the platform with domestic laws and regulations regarding data security and transparency. This could provide some assurance that user data is not being improperly accessed or exploited. The critique you hint at-that the damage might already be done-is one that many share. However, the push to force a sale or shutdown is more about stopping ongoing risks and asserting control over future vulnerabilities. What’s your take-are these efforts worth pursuing, or do they feel more like performative actions?
—
Steve: I’m not a fan of big social media platforms like FaceBook, X, et al. I’d like to see them all regulated.

ChatGPT: I get where you’re coming from, Steve. Social media platforms have become incredibly powerful, often operating with minimal oversight despite their outsized influence on society. The issues with platforms like Facebook, X, and others span a wide spectrum: data privacy concerns, misinformation, polarizing algorithms, mental health impacts, and the monopolistic tendencies of Big Tech. Regulation feels overdue to many people. Here are a few ideas for how regulation could help rein in these giants:

1. Data Privacy and User Control

Platforms could be required to be more transparent about how they collect, store, and use data.
Users should have more control over their data, including the right to delete it permanently.
Strict limits could be placed on how much data can be shared with third parties.

2. Algorithmic Transparency

These companies should disclose how their algorithms work, particularly how they prioritize and amplify content.
Regulators could mandate algorithmic changes to reduce the spread of harmful content or prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics.

3. Content Moderation Standards

Clearer rules could be established to ensure consistency and fairness in content moderation.
Platforms might need to explain why specific content is removed or promoted, offering appeals processes.

4. Monopoly Busting

Breaking up tech monopolies might foster competition and innovation. For instance, separating Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp into independent companies could reduce one entity’s influence.
Limits could be placed on acquisitions, especially when they stifle competition.

5. Digital Addiction and Mental Health

Platforms could face restrictions on features designed to keep users scrolling (infinite scroll, autoplay, etc.).
Regular impact assessments on mental health, particularly for younger users, could become mandatory.

6. Combatting Disinformation

Companies might be held accountable for the spread of false or harmful information on their platforms.
Partnerships with trusted fact-checkers could be incentivized or required.

7. Revenue Transparency

Regulators could demand that companies disclose ad revenue sources and ensure they’re not profiting from harmful or illegal activities. Of course, implementing meaningful regulation won’t be easy. These companies wield immense political and economic power, and any attempt to regulate them risks being watered down by lobbying. But without regulation, the risks to privacy, democracy, and mental health continue to grow.

What’s your take on how realistic it is to get meaningful regulations in place? Do you think
governments will ever act decisively, or are they too entangled with these companies?
—
Steve: Only after it’s too late. Hope I live to see LLM’s play a significant role in addressing such problems.

ChatGPT: I think you’re right, Steve-governments often seem to move at a glacial pace when it comes to addressing the complexities of modern technology. History is full of examples where decisive action came only after the damage was done. That said, the rise of AI, including large language models (LLMs), offers a sliver of hope for proactive solutions, provided we use them wisely.

Here’s how LLMs might play a role in tackling these challenges:

1. Enhanced Policy Development

LLMs could analyze massive datasets-social media trends, case studies, and global
regulations-to recommend effective policies.
By simulating the impact of different regulatory approaches, they could help policymakers foresee unintended consequences and refine legislation before it’s enacted.

2. Monitoring and Enforcement

AI could monitor social media platforms in real-time for harmful content, misinformation, or violations of privacy laws.
LLMs could streamline enforcement, making it easier for regulators to identify bad actors and issue fines or corrective measures.

3. Empowering Individuals

Users could have AI-powered tools to track how their data is being used and even negotiate terms with platforms.
Personal AI assistants might act as mediators, advising users on how to minimize their exposure to manipulative algorithms or invasive practices.

4. Combating Disinformation

LLMs could play a major role in identifying and debunking false information at scale.
They could also assist in creating tools that help users discern credible information sources from dubious ones.

5. Promoting Algorithmic Transparency

AI systems could audit social media algorithms to ensure they comply with ethical guidelines or regulatory requirements.
LLMs might even help explain these algorithms to the public in plain language, increasing accountability.

6. Advocacy and Public Awareness

AI could empower grassroots movements by helping activists craft compelling campaigns, analyze public sentiment, and organize more effectively.
LLMs might also generate educational content to raise awareness about the risks posed by Big Tech monopolies and the importance of regulation. The big “if,” of course, is whether society chooses to prioritize using AI for the greater good instead of profit or power. If governments and corporations monopolize AI’s potential without meaningful oversight, it could exacerbate the very problems it’s capable of solving.

The optimist in me says we’re on the cusp of a major shift-one where tools like me could be instrumental in reshaping how power and influence are wielded in the digital age.

Tik Tok

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Steve Mays

By the time Tik Tok became a Big Thing (around 2018?) I had abandoned social media with the exception of the occasional peak at Mastodon. One of the little video clips shows up as a Short in my YouTube stream so I have some idea what people post on Tik Tok but the appeal was a mystery. With Tik Tok getting so much attention these days, I asked ChatGPT to explain the appeal.

TikTok’s massive appeal, especially among younger generations, can be attributed to several unique features and cultural factors:

1. Short, Snackable Content – TikTok specializes in short videos, usually 15 seconds to 3 minutes long (though longer videos are now possible). This format caters perfectly to shorter attention spans and allows users to consume a lot of varied content in a short period.

2. Advanced Algorithm – TikTok’s “For You Page” (FYP) is powered by an incredibly advanced recommendation algorithm. It quickly learns what each user likes and serves up highly personalized, engaging content. Users don’t have to follow anyone to start seeing relevant and entertaining videos, making the platform instantly accessible.

3. Focus on Creativity and Trends – The platform encourages creativity through its easy-to-use editing tools, music library, and special effects. Challenges, trends, and viral memes are constantly evolving, giving users something to participate in and replicate. This fosters a sense of belonging and community.

4. Music Integration – Music is a key part of TikTok’s DNA. Many videos are based on popular songs or sounds, and the platform has even been instrumental in propelling lesser-known tracks to global fame. This seamless integration of music makes the content more dynamic and engaging.

5. Low Barrier to Entry – Creating content on TikTok is incredibly easy compared to platforms like YouTube, where production quality and long-form storytelling can be barriers. With TikTok, anyone with a smartphone can create something engaging in minutes, regardless of technical skill.

6. Viral Potential – TikTok offers a real chance for “ordinary” users to go viral. The algorithm doesn’t solely favor accounts with millions of followers, so even a first-time creator has a chance to reach a large audience. This democratization is hugely appealing.

7. Community and Subcultures – TikTok hosts an enormous variety of “niches” and subcultures, from dance and comedy to book recommendations (“BookTok”), cooking tutorials, and even educational content. No matter your interest, there’s likely a community for you.

8. Informal and Authentic Atmosphere – TikTok’s vibe is less polished and curated than platforms like Instagram. Users often appreciate its raw, humorous, and authentic feel, which makes it more relatable, especially to younger audiences.

9. Instant Gratification – The combination of short videos, an endless scroll, and algorithm-driven content creates an addictive loop of instant gratification. It’s easy to lose track of time because the content feels endless.

10. Social Validation and Engagement – TikTok’s culture encourages likes, comments, and duets (a feature that lets users build on others’ videos). This fosters interaction, collaboration, and a sense of validation for creators.

For younger generations, TikTok offers a dynamic mix of entertainment, connection, and self-expression that fits seamlessly into their fast-paced digital lives. Have you been tempted to check it out, or are you just curious about the buzz?

Virality

Posted on November 2, 2024 by Steve Mays

The terms “algorithmic engagement” and “organic search” pertain to how content is delivered and discovered online, each involving distinct mechanisms:

Algorithmic Engagement: This concept refers to the use of algorithms by platforms—such as social media networks, streaming services, and news aggregators—to curate and present content tailored to individual users. These algorithms analyze user behavior, preferences, and interactions to prioritize content that is likely to engage the user. For instance, Facebook’s News Feed and Twitter’s timeline utilize algorithms to display posts that align with a user’s interests, aiming to enhance engagement and time spent on the platform. This approach can lead to personalized experiences but may also result in echo chambers or filter bubbles, where users are predominantly exposed to content that reinforces their existing views.

Organic Search: In contrast, organic search involves users actively seeking information by entering queries into search engines like Google or Bing. The search engine then returns a list of results ranked based on relevance to the query, as determined by complex algorithms considering factors such as keyword usage, content quality, and website authority. These results are unpaid and are often referred to as “natural” or “organic” results. Websites can improve their visibility in these results through search engine optimization (SEO) practices, which aim to align content with the ranking criteria of search engines. Unlike algorithmic engagement, organic search is driven by user intent and provides a broader range of information sources, potentially offering a more diverse perspective.

In summary, while algorithmic engagement involves platforms proactively presenting content based on user behavior to maximize engagement, organic search is a user-initiated process where individuals seek out information, with search engines delivering results based on relevance to the query.

The term “viral,” in the context of content rapidly spreading online, began gaining traction in the late 1990s. By 1999, it was notably used in reference to marketing strategies that leveraged the internet’s capacity for swift information dissemination. This usage drew parallels to the rapid spread of biological viruses, highlighting how certain content could quickly propagate across digital platforms.

The phrase “went viral” became more prevalent in the early 2000s, coinciding with the rise of social media platforms and video-sharing sites like YouTube. These platforms facilitated the rapid sharing and widespread reach of content, leading to the common use of “viral” to describe popular online phenomena.

Public relations technology in 2006

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Steve Mays

In 2006 I was asked to be on a panel discussing new technology tools for public relations professionals in the greater St. Louis area. Blogging was still relatively new at the time and I’d been at it for five or six years, consulting for advertisers on our various radio networks. It was a packed house.

2006 was a busy year for technology (social media?). Twitter officially launched in July; Facebook opened up to everyone over 13 years old, leading to explosive growth from 12 million users at the end of 2006 to 50 million by October 2007; YouTube was acquired by Google for $1.65 billion in October, cementing its position as the leading online video platform.

I spent most of my working years on the media side of things rather than the PR side, but one (of many, no doubt) go-to tool was the written press release. These went out (fax, USPS, email) to any media outlet that might do a story (Newspapers, magazines, radio, TV) followed up by a phone call “pitching” the story. I don’t recall there being any way to get a release into the hands of the public. The internet –and, later, social media– changed all that. We started seeing and hearing the word “disintermediation.” Communicating directly to a target audience, bypassing traditional media.

By this time many (most?) businesses, organizations and institutions had websites but it took some technical skill to update these, a task made easier by the advent of blogs. And a well-written, frequently updated blog could be followed thanks to a bit of tech called RSS.

As I prepared to write this post I tried to recall what the field of public relations was like in 2006 (18 years ago!). Instead of googling I used a new (for me) tool called Perplexity that describes itself as an “answer engine” rather than a search engine. If you discount the personal touch, the result was much better than what you just read. I’m too new to this tool/tech to write intelligently about it does feel like a very big deal. I’m already starting to go to Perplexity for answers I once searched for on Google. And all we really wanted was the answer, right? Here’s a short (6 min) video overview of Perplexity and I’ll be sharing my experiences here.

Age of Social Media Ending

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Steve Mays

That’s the title of an article in The Atlantic back in 2022. It’s behind a paywall so I’ll share a few of my favorite excerpts (and a few thoughts). The piece is a year old so some of this might less (or more) relevant.

The reporter traces an evolution/devolution of “social networks” to “social media.”

Instead of facilitating the modest use of existing connections—largely for offline life (to organize a birthday party, say)—social software turned those connections into a latent broadcast channel. All at once, billions of people saw themselves as celebrities, pundits, and tastemakers.

Blogs (and bloglike services, such as Tumblr) [hosted] “musings” seen by few and engaged by fewer. In 2008, the Dutch media theorist Geert Lovink published a book about blogs and social networks whose title summarized their average reach: Zero Comments.

I was blogging long before social networks or media. And I read lots of blogs. I recall being…mystified?… by the idea of social media.

“social media,” a name so familiar that it has ceased to bear meaning. But two decades ago, that term didn’t exist. […] “…social networking became social media around 2009, between the introduction of the smartphone and the launch of Instagram. Instead of connection—forging latent ties to people and organizations we would mostly ignore—social media offered platforms through which people could publish content as widely as possible, well beyond their networks of immediate contacts. Social media turned you, me, and everyone into broadcasters (if aspirational ones).” […] The network, which had previously been used to establish and maintain relationships, becomes reinterpreted as a channel through which to broadcast.

As a one-time broadcaster (radio) I understand the appeal of reaching an audience.

Social media showed that everyone has the potential to reach a massive audience at low cost and high gain—and that potential gave many people the impression that they deserve such an audience.

I loved blogging. Still do. But damned few people ever read this blog. And I got even fewer comments. Disabled that feature years ago. “The rush of likes and shares felt so good because the age of zero comments felt so lonely.”