The Ezra Klein Show:
Will A.I. Break the Internet? Or Save It?
Will A.I. Break the Internet? Or Save It?
AI search, particularly when integrated into platforms like Google and social media, has undergone significant changes and presents both opportunities and challenges.
1. AI Spam and Content Quality:
Over the past year, major platforms like Google and social media have been inundated with AI-generated spam and fake news sites. The content often includes stolen or fabricated stories, and nonsensical videos, which contribute to a perceived decay of the internet’s quality. This is highlighted by the observation that the internet felt "more human, more delightful, more spontaneous, more real a few years ago" 00:02:30 to 00:02:58.
2. AI in Personalized Advertising:
AI is also revolutionizing the way advertising is personalized. For example, if a user searches for a flight to Paris, an AI could generate a targeted email suggesting a purchase of a suitcase that matches their style at a dynamically generated price. This contrasts with traditional methods which often resulted in ads being shown after a purchase was already made 00:10:30 to 00:10:58.
3. AI-Generated Content:
The future of AI-generated content is poised to surpass human-produced content in quality. There is a debate on whether it matters if content is created by AI or humans, with some arguing that the median AI article might become better than the median human-produced piece within three years. This raises questions about the overall impact on the internet's quality and authenticity 00:18:00 to 00:18:25.
4. Flood of AI Content:
The increase in AI-generated emails and advertisements is expected to overwhelm existing email algorithms, making it crucial for companies like Google and Meta to invest significantly in AI to manage and dynamically generate content across the web 00:11:30 to 00:11:59.
5. Stolen Content and Ethics:
AI is also being used to slightly rewrite existing news articles, often with AI-generated authors and photos, which raises ethical concerns. Google News, for instance, has indicated that it does not prioritize whether an article is by an AI or a human, which can be seen as problematic 00:15:30 to 00:15:56.
6. AI's Effect on Web Richness:
Platforms like Google depend on the richness of the web. However, there is a perceived tension because while the web's richness is essential, AI-generated content can often deteriorate the user experience by making the web feel "pretty horrible for most people, most of the time" 00:14:00 to 00:14:28.
In summary, AI search is transforming content creation and advertising, but it also brings challenges related to spam, content authenticity, and the overall richness of the web.
