Dan Sodergren on the BBC to discuss #socialmedia and the future of democracy...

Elon Musk’s X: Is the Dangerous Rise of Misinformation Threatening Our Democracy?

I was asked to talk about the supposedly faked AI picture from the Kalamala Harris campaign over in America, but this quickly became more a story not just about misinformation on Twitter. Which ironically the picture was not - as the picture was proven to be real.

About the people that accused the political campaigners of doctoring a picture. Both Elon Musk and “convicted felon” Donald Trump.

The interview for the BBC, where I donned my hat of AI and tech expert, is here and is an interesting listen . T he programme did however, take advantage of the fact it wasn’t live and edited out much of my political commentary. But I believe this commentary is key to how we look at the situation we are now in…?

The power of Twitter and X.?

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are no longer just social networks; they have become battlegrounds for political influence and misinformation. As we approach critical events like the US election, the role of X and AI in shaping public opinion has never been more concerning.

X's transformation under Elon Musk’s leadership has been anything but subtle. Which I have been asked to comment on many times on TV and Radio. His acquisition and subsequent management of X (formerly Twitter) have been marked by several controversial decisions that have arguably harmed the platform's reputation and user experience.?

Here are some key issues:

1. Mass Layoffs and Loss of Expertise

Shortly after acquiring the platform, Musk initiated mass layoffs, cutting a significant portion of the workforce, including teams responsible for content moderation, trust and safety, and engineering. This not only led to a decline in the quality of service but also weakened the platform's ability to effectively manage harmful content, misinformation, and technical issues. Perhaps Elon believed that AI could do all this heavy lifting - or didn’t see the need for moderating the platform.?

2. Content Moderation Changes

However it is more likely that Musk's commitment to "free speech absolutism" really led to the rollback of several content moderation policies. This included the reinstatement of previously banned accounts, many of those on the far right of politics, including those of individuals who had violated community guidelines. Including Donald Trump who went on to build his own version of Twitter with Truth Social. Elon’s lack of care around moderation have famously? increased the prevalence of hate speech, misinformation, and other harmful content on the platform?

3. Introduction of Twitter Blue and Verification Chaos

Musk's introduction of Twitter Blue, a paid subscription service that allows users to buy verification badges, led to widespread confusion and impersonation issues. The original purpose of verification was to confirm the identity of notable figures and prevent impersonation. By opening this feature to anyone willing to pay, Musk inadvertently facilitated scams and impersonations, which damaged trust in the platform

4. Changes to Platform Algorithms

Under Musk's direction, X's algorithms have been adjusted to prioritize certain types of content, potentially amplifying divisive and polarizing posts. This has led to concerns that the platform is becoming more toxic, as controversial content tends to generate more engagement, thereby being promoted more heavily in users' feeds?

5. Public Feuds and Erratic Leadership

Musk's public disputes, both on and off the platform, have contributed to a perception of erratic leadership. His tendency to make significant changes without prior notice or consultation has alienated users, advertisers, and even some employees. This unpredictability has undermined confidence in the platform's future?

6. Impact on Advertiser Relationships

Advertisers are critical to X's revenue, but many have pulled back or left the platform entirely due to concerns over content moderation and brand safety. Musk’s changes, including the removal of certain safeguards, have made the platform less appealing to major brands, further straining its financial viability

7. Handling of Misinformation

Musk’s approach to handling misinformation, including his own tweets that spread unverified or misleading information, has been widely criticized. This has raised concerns about the platform's role in the dissemination of false information, especially around sensitive topics like elections and public health.

Is it only in moderation…??

This latter point and his laissez-faire approach to content moderation, or rather the lack thereof, has turned the platform into a haven for misinformation. The recent riots in the UK, fueled by false narratives around the Southport stabbings, serve as a stark reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control when unverified claims are left unchecked. The "two-tier policing" conspiracy theory, which suggests that law enforcement in the UK is biased based on race or ethnicity, gained significant traction on X, exacerbating tensions and leading to violence

Musk’s laissez-faire attitude toward content moderation is alarming. His decisions, such as reinstating accounts of far-right figures like Tommy Robinson (who real name is Stanley Yannex-Lennon), have not only provided a platform for divisive rhetoric but have also emboldened those who spread harmful misinformation.?

The idea that controversy equals engagement might be true, but at what cost? When a platform prioritises engagement over accuracy, it risks becoming a tool for those who seek to mislead and manipulate.

"Musk’s gamble is clear: he’s betting that controversy equals engagement. But at what cost? The cost may be the truth itself." Dan Sodergren?

The rise and rise of the far right.

The statistics tell a troubling story. Reports show that after Musk's takeover, many users, particularly scientists and academics, have either left the platform or significantly reduced their activity due to concerns over its reliability and the spread of misinformation?

The platform that once was a hub for real-time news and informed debate is increasingly seen as a chaotic space where truth is often the first casualty.

The interview between Musk and Donald Trump on X further underscores the concerning direction in which we are headed. This isn’t just an interview; it’s a demonstration of how power in the digital age is consolidating into the hands of a few tech moguls. As I said in my BBC interview…?

“When billionaires become the gatekeepers of truth, the implications for democracy are profound.” Dan Sodergren?

The ability to control narratives, amplify certain voices while silencing others, and shape public opinion without accountability is a power that should concern us all. Let’s not forget it was Elon’s own retweeting and sharing of Tommy Robinson tweets that gained the right wing activist more than 1 billion views on the platform.?

What can we do??

As we move forward, the need for regulation is clear. Governments must step in to ensure that platforms like X do not become breeding grounds for misinformation and division. The balance between free speech and responsible content moderation is delicate, but it’s one we must strike if we are to protect the integrity of our democracies.

In the end, the question isn’t just about whether people will leave X; it’s about whether we, as a society, are willing to allow a single platform, controlled by a single individual, to dictate the flow of information. If we do, we risk losing more than just users; we risk losing the truth itself.

"We must regulate the platforms that shape our world, or risk being shaped by their chaos." Dan Sodergren ?

This is not just a call to action; it’s a plea for the preservation of the values that underpin our society. As I alluded to in the interview. In the digital age, misinformation spreads like wildfire. If we don't contain it, it can burn down the very foundation of our democracy.

Here’s the BBC TV interview with me Dan Sodergren.

About The Author?

Keynote speaking, corporate trainer, TedxTalker, and author. Ex marketing agency owner and serial tech startup co-founder, Dan Sodergren is a digital marketing and technology expert who specialises in the future of work and AI.?

?He works on many different TV shows and on countless radio shows. Dan Sodergren is a tech futurist and optimist. Who trains companies in how the future of work, technology and AI will change the world for the better during this #FifthIndustrialRevolution.?

Check Dan Sodergren’s availability to customise a speech on the future of work, technology and AI perfectly tailored for your audience.

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Further reading?

Dan Sodergren?

Future of Work, Technology And Digital Marketing Man Dan Sodergren

That Kamala Harris picture?

Trump Falsely Accuses Kamala Harris of Using AI to Fake Campaign Crowd Size

Twitter usage in US ‘fallen by a fifth’ since Elon Musk’s takeover

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/mar/26/twitter-usage-in-us-fallen-by-a-fifth-since-elon-musks-takeover ?

Twitter Will Lose More than 32 Million Users Worldwide by 2024 Amid Turmoil

https://www.emarketer.com/press-releases/twitter-will-lose-more-than-32-million-users-worldwide-by-2024-amid-turmoil/ ?

More advertisers to flee X after recent Elon Musk lawsuit and riot comments

https://www.cityam.com/more-advertisers-to-flee-x-after-recent-elon-musk-lawsuit-and-riot-comments/ ?

Twitter's downfall since Elon Musk takeover - 'hate speech rise, sackings and worrying new rules'

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/twitters-downfall-elon-musk-takeover-33427868 ?

City A.M. - The Debate: Should we finally say goodbye to Twitter/X?

www.cityam.com

Nature - Thousands of scientists are cutting back on Twitter, seeding angst and uncertainty

www.nature.com

University of Salford - Sodergren on AI: “The right AI is the most important thing humankind will ever create”

www.salford.ac.uk

The Fifth Industrial Revolution - Dan Sodergren’s perspective on the future of work and technology

www.thefifthindustrialrevolution.co.uk

IoIC - Exploring our increasingly digital work futures with Dan Sodergren

www.ioic.org.uk

More Questions And Thinking From The Interview.

Question 1: What role do you think X and AI are likely to play in the US election? Can this spread of misinformation be stopped?

Key Points:

• Role of X and AI: "X will be a battleground for the upcoming US election. The platform's ability to amplify content rapidly, combined with AI-generated deep fakes and doctored images, will make it a powerful tool in shaping public opinion—sometimes in misleading ways."
• Misinformation Challenge: "Stopping misinformation on X is like trying to hold water in your hands. The platform’s algorithms favour engagement, often pushing sensational and divisive content. Without stronger moderation, the spread of misinformation will be extremely difficult to control."

Question 2: Given recent events in the UK, do you think the spread of misinformation has damaged X, and are people leaving the platform?

Key Points:

• Damage to X: "The recent UK riots, fueled by misinformation on X, have significantly tarnished the platform’s reputation. Trust is eroding, and people are questioning whether X is a reliable source of information or a breeding ground for falsehoods."
• User Exodus: "While some prominent users, including scientists and journalists, have reduced their activity or left, X still holds sway due to its unique real-time engagement. But the platform is definitely bleeding credibility, if not yet users en masse."

Question 3: Why doesn’t Elon Musk put a stop to this? Does he not care if people leave the platform?

Key Points:

• Musk's Approach: "Musk has embraced a laissez-faire approach, prioritizing what he calls 'free speech.' This has meant less moderation, more controversy, and unfortunately, more misinformation. His focus seems to be on engagement rather than accuracy."
• User Retention: "It seems Musk believes that the controversy drives engagement, and as long as people are talking—whether positively or negatively—X remains relevant. He may not be as concerned with losing users as he is with maintaining the platform’s central role in global discourse."

Question 4: Trump is being interviewed by Elon Musk on X tonight – what impact do you think that will have and is this a sign of where the world is going?

Key Points:

• Impact of Interview: "This interview represents a shift in power. It's not just a conversation; it's a display of influence. With Trump and Musk, two of the most polarizing figures, the platform could either become a beacon for free speech or a megaphone for misinformation."
• Sign of the Times: "We’re seeing the rise of tech oligarchs as gatekeepers of information. When a CEO controls a major communication platform and can shape narratives, it’s a sign that the power of communication is consolidating into fewer hands."

Question 5: What should we do about it? Should our governments be tougher on the platform?

Key Points:

• Need for Regulation: "Governments need to step in, not to stifle free speech, but to ensure that platforms like X don’t become hotbeds for harmful misinformation. We need transparency, accountability, and robust content moderation."
• Balance of Regulation and Free Speech: "It's a delicate balance, but without some form of regulation, the risks are too high. We’re talking about the integrity of elections, the safety of communities, and the truth itself."