1 of 1- TomTV
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US consumers turning more and more to podcasters and AI for their news
From Reuters:
Not a big shocker to people on this forum I'm sure, although I was taken aback by how quickly audiences are relying on AI chatbots for news. Considering Elon Musk controls Twitter and has often tweaked his AI chatbot Grok to suit his purposes (like when Grok admits that Elon Musk is one of the biggest sources of misinformation on the internet), that should be very worrisome. Billionaires controlling the national news agenda was always a concern, but there's at least some degree of regulation there, not so much for social media or AI.
Prominent podcasters like Joe Rogan are playing a bigger role in news dissemination in the United States, as are AI chatbots, contributing to the further erosion of traditional media, according to a report released on Tuesday.
In the week following the January 2025 U.S. presidential inauguration, more Americans said they got their news from social and video networks than from TV and news websites and apps - the first time that shift has occurred, the report said.
Despite their popularity, online influencers and personalities are seen as the biggest sources of false or misleading information worldwide, along with politicians, the report found. In the United States, politicians are considered the biggest sources of false or misleading information.
Over 70% of Americans say they remain concerned about their ability to tell what is true from what is false when it comes to news online, a similar proportion to last year. That compared to 58% across all of the surveyed markets.
- RadioActive
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Re: US consumers turning more and more to podcasters and AI for their news
Every generation worries about the one coming up. "Kids today..." and all that.
But in this case, I worry we're truly raising a generation of complete morons, who believe everything they see on TikTok and will follow their phones anywhere - including to ruin. At least the TV generation had the benefit of newsrooms with journalistic standards, instead of made up news to fit an agenda or at worst, outright conspiracy theories or falsehoods.
The fact that Fox News is continually #1 in the U.S., often beating all three U.S. networks combined, is truly troubling. I honestly don't know how you break this spell.
And don't get me started on A.I., and education! Very scary future ahead, I'm afraid.
- 67GreenRambler
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Re: US consumers turning more and more to podcasters and AI for their news
Have you considered running for the Liberal Party of Canada ?
- RadioActive
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Re: US consumers turning more and more to podcasters and AI for their news
He's the last person I would ever want to take any advice from!
- TomTV
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Re: US consumers turning more and more to podcasters and AI for their news
Just as an example. Elon doesn't even try to hide the fact that when Grok delivers an answer that goes against his belief system or MAGA, he will have it changed:
If people are really going to get their news and "facts" from AI chatbots, you better question everything. It will likely all be heavily slanted towards far-right wing rubbish.
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Thread Starter- mace
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Re: US consumers turning more and more to podcasters and AI for their news
When it comes to social media, I only follow and express opinions on three sites. Obviously, SOWNY, one that deals with television antennas/OTA reception and "If you grew up in [city name], you must remember"
- g121
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Re: US consumers turning more and more to podcasters and AI for their news
RadioActive wrote:
.. The fact that Fox News is continually #1 in the U.S., often beating all three U.S. networks combined, is truly troubling. I honestly don't know how you break this spell.
..
Track down the 2015 documentary "The Brainwashing of My Dad" .. a good watch.
"After her dad shifts his politics from left to right, his daughter tries to understand what happened."