Generative AI Outpaces Media Literacy, Widening Social Divide in Australia

Research reveals that media literacy in Australia lags behind the rapid advancements in generative AI, increasing vulnerability to deepfakes and disinformation, and potentially widening social inequalities.

Generative AI tools are advancing at an unprecedented pace, yet media literacy is struggling to keep up, leaving many Australians feeling vulnerable to the risks posed by deepfakes and disinformation. This alarming trend was highlighted in new research from Western Sydney University, which underscores the growing divide in media literacy across society.

The Digital News Report: Australia 2024 reveals that only 26% of Australians trust the news, with an even lower 18% trusting news from social media platforms. This widespread distrust is largely due to the escalating levels of disinformation that flood these platforms. Despite this, the ability of Australians to critically assess media content has not significantly improved in recent years.

Associate Professor Tanya Notley, who contributed to the report, emphasized the heightened complexity that generative AI introduces to media literacy. “AI certainly makes media literacy more complicated because the expectation is that it’s getting harder and harder to identify where AI has been used,” Notley explained. “It’s going to be used in more sophisticated ways to manipulate people with disinformation, and we can already see that happening.”

Notley also stressed the need for regulation to combat these issues, noting that progress is slow. For instance, the U.S. Senate recently passed a bill to outlaw pornographic deepfakes, but similar measures are lacking elsewhere. Beyond regulation, there is an urgent need for education to help individuals recognize AI-generated content that may be misleading or harmful.

The research highlights a concerning social divide: younger Australians (aged 18-29), those engaged in higher education, and individuals in digital-savvy jobs are more likely to possess higher media literacy skills. In contrast, older generations, individuals with lower levels of education, and those in low socio-economic environments are less likely to develop these crucial skills.

Notley expressed concern over the growing gap between those who can navigate the digital landscape and those who cannot, particularly in the absence of a national strategy in Australia to address media literacy. “Australia is one of a few laggard advanced democracies now that has no national strategy,” she said. “A national strategy for media literacy would provide clear targets and funding to improve these skills across the population.”

The report suggests that to bridge this gap, media literacy efforts need to be more accessible and engaging, particularly for adults. Online platforms, where misinformation is often rampant, should play a proactive role in promoting media literacy. Additionally, leveraging Australia’s public cultural institutions, such as public broadcasters and national libraries, could help reach a broader audience and build trust in media literacy initiatives.

As generative AI continues to evolve, the importance of equipping all Australians with the tools to critically assess media content cannot be overstated. Without significant efforts to improve media literacy, the risks posed by AI-driven disinformation could deepen societal divisions and erode public trust in the media.

Our creator. creates amazing NFT collections! 
Support the editors - Bitcoin_Man (ETH) / Bitcoin_Man (TON)

Pi Network (Guide)is a new digital currency developed by Stanford PhDs with over 55 million participants worldwide. To get your Pi, follow this link https://minepi.com/Tsybko and use my username (Tsybko) as the invite code.

Binance: Use this link to sign up and get $100 free and 10% off your first months Binance Futures fees (Terms and Conditions).

Bitget: Use this link Use the Rewards Center and win up to 5027 USDT!(Review)

Bybit: Use this link (all possible discounts on commissions and bonuses up to $30,030 included) If you register through the application, then at the time of registration simply enter in the reference: WB8XZ4 - (manual)