Imagine Trump Kissing Putin --ar 16:9

That was the prompt that suspended my MidJourney account. Warning: Do not try this at home! Though it makes me mad, I was trying to make a point to see where the guardrails are in this election cycle, let alone moving forward. I am happy that MidJourney does have some protections in place. I was going to do more research on other platforms, but I still need to work. The one platform that evidently has no guardrails is Grok.

“Twitter Updated Its AI Chatbot. The Images Are A Dumpster Fire. AI experts are concerned that X's new AI Chatbot could let misinformation spread wild on the site.” That is the latest headline from Rolling Stone.

As our resident creator of Grok and his history of spreading disinformation that created riots in the UK, just wait to see what he will do in the US during this election cycle.

Related Article: How Elon Musk stoked the fire of the UKs Far Right

In today's digital landscape, social media and AI platforms are at the forefront of how we consume information, connect with others, and even shape our perceptions of reality. However, the ethical and legal guardrails meant to protect users from misinformation, harmful content, and sensationalism are often lacking or inconsistently enforced.

The rise of deepfakes—highly realistic but entirely fabricated videos and images—has highlighted the urgent need for stronger regulations and ethical standards. When these deepfakes target public figures or spread disinformation, they not only distort reality but also fuel divisive narratives. As users, it's crucial to resist the temptation to engage with such content, no matter how provocative. Sharing or commenting on deepfakes, even in disagreement, only amplifies their reach, feeding the algorithms that prioritize sensationalism over truth.

Instead of participating in this cycle, a more responsible approach is to unfollow those who deliberately spread such content. By disengaging, we can starve the algorithms of the attention they crave and reduce the spread of harmful rhetoric. This is not about stifling free speech but about ensuring that our digital spaces are not overrun by absurd and damaging narratives. We can still have healthy discussions about these issues, but not spread the imagery.

While social media often struggles to "do it right," there is hope in the progress being made in AI. Ethical AI development, with a focus on transparency, fairness, and accountability, can provide a model for how digital platforms should operate. By setting strong ethical guidelines and legal standards, we can create online environments that foster genuine connections and promote informed, respectful discourse.

As we navigate this complex digital age, the responsibility lies with both platform developers and users to advocate for and adhere to these guardrails, ensuring that our online interactions are as constructive and truthful as possible.

As far as Grok goes, I will not boycott it, but I will never subscribe to it. The good news is that I can still generate “George Clooney drinking a Bud Lite on a beach at sunset” Thank you Flux!

About the Author

Curt Doty specializes in?branding,?product development, social strategy, integrated marketing, and UXD. He has extensive experience on AI-driven platforms MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, Murf.ai, and DALL-E. His legacy of entertainment branding: Electronic Arts, EA Sports, ProSieben, SAT.1, WBTV Latin America, Discovery Health, ABC, CBS, A&E, StarTV, Fox, Kabel 1, TV Guide Channel, and Prevue Channel.

He is a sought after public speaker having been featured at Streaming Media NYC, Digital Hollywood, Mobile Growth Association, Mobile Congress, App Growth Summit, Promax, CES, CTIA, NAB, NATPE, MMA Global, New Mexico Angels, Santa Fe Business Incubator, EntrepeneursRx and AI Impact. His AI consultancy RealmIQ helps companies manage the AI Revolution.

? 2024?Curt Doty Company?LLC. All rights reserved.?RealmIQ?is a division of the Curt Doty Company. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for any AI errors or omissions.