AI Becomes the New 'Fake News': Trump and Others Embrace Blaming AI to Dodge Accountability

Reviewed byNidhi Govil

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President Donald Trump and other politicians are increasingly blaming AI for embarrassing situations, raising concerns about accountability and truth in the digital age.

The Rise of AI as a Political Scapegoat

In a surprising turn of events, artificial intelligence (AI) has become the new "fake news" in the political arena. President Donald Trump recently endorsed the practice of blaming AI for embarrassing situations, marking a significant shift in how politicians handle accountability

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Trump's Embrace of AI Blame

During a recent incident, Trump was questioned about viral footage showing items being tossed from an upper-story White House window. Despite his press team initially confirming the video's authenticity, Trump dismissed it by saying, "No, that's probably AI"

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. He went further, stating, "If something happens that's really bad, maybe I'll have to just blame AI"

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Source: Fast Company

Source: Fast Company

The Spread of AI Blame

Trump isn't alone in this approach. On the same day, Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy ÑÑñez questioned the veracity of a U.S. strike video, claiming it was "very likely that it was created using Artificial Intelligence"

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. This trend of blaming AI is becoming increasingly popular among politicians seeking to dodge responsibility for embarrassing situations.

The "Liar's Dividend" and Its Implications

Experts warn of a phenomenon known as the "liar's dividend." Digital forensics expert Hany Farid explains, "When you enter this world where anything can be fake, then nothing has to be real. You get to deny any reality because all you have to say is, 'It's a deepfake'"

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. This erosion of trust in visual and audio evidence poses significant challenges for accountability in politics and beyond.

Public Perception and Concerns

Recent polls indicate growing public concern about AI's role in daily life and its potential for misuse in politics:

  1. A Pew Research Center poll from August 2024 found that about half of U.S. adults feel "more concerned than excited" about increased AI use in daily life

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  2. A Quinnipiac poll from April revealed that about three-quarters of U.S. adults only trust AI-generated information "some of the time" or "hardly ever"

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  3. Approximately 60% of U.S. adults expressed being "very concerned" about political leaders using AI to distribute fake or misleading information

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Historical Context and Trump's Track Record

Source: AP NEWS

Source: AP NEWS

Trump's history of misinformation predates the AI era. He popularized the term "fake news" to cast doubt on media reports

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. Leslie Stahl of CBS' "60 Minutes" reported that Trump admitted off-camera in 2016 to discrediting journalists to undermine negative stories about him

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Expert Warnings and Future Implications

Toby Walsh, chief scientist and professor of AI at the University of New South Wales, warns, "It leads to a dark future where we no longer hold politicians (or anyone else) accountable. It used to be that if you were caught on tape saying something, you had to own it. This is no longer the case"

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Source: euronews

Source: euronews

As AI technology continues to advance, the challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction grows more complex. The trend of blaming AI for unfavorable situations threatens to further erode public trust in information and poses significant challenges for maintaining accountability in politics and beyond.

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