Content Policy Archives | Page 31 of 225 | Digital Watch Observatory

Is AI eroding human intelligence?

The article reflects on the growing integration of AI into daily life, from classrooms to work, and asks whether this shift is making people intellectually sharper or more dependent on machines.

Tools such as ChatGPT, Grok and Perplexity have moved from optional assistants to everyday aids that generate instant answers, summaries and explanations, reducing the time and effort traditionally required for research and deep thinking.

While quantifiable productivity gains are clear, the piece highlights trade-offs: readily available answers can diminish the cognitive struggle that builds critical thinking, problem-solving and independent reasoning.

In education, easy AI responses may weaken students’ engagement in learning unless teachers guide their use responsibly. Some respondents point to creativity and conceptual understanding eroding when AI is used as a shortcut. In contrast, others see it as a democratising tutor that supports learners who otherwise lack resources.

The article also incorporates perspectives from AI systems themselves, which generally frame AI as neither inherently making people smarter nor dumber, but dependent on how it’s used.

It concludes that the impact of AI on human cognition is not predetermined by the technology, but shaped by user choice: whether AI is a partner that augments thinking or a crutch that replaces it.

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Conversational advertising takes the stage as ChatGPT tests in-chat promotions

Advertising inside ChatGPT marks a shift in where commercial messages appear, not a break from how advertising works. AI systems have shaped search, social media, and recommendations for years, but conversational interfaces make those decisions more visible during moments of exploration.

Unlike search or social formats, conversational advertising operates inside dialogue. Ads appear because users are already asking questions or seeking clarity. Relevance is built through context rather than keywords, changing when information is encountered rather than how decisions are made.

In healthcare and clinical research, this distinction matters. Conversational ads cannot enroll patients directly, but they may raise awareness earlier in patient journeys and shape later discussions with clinicians and care providers.

Early rollout will be limited to free or low-cost ChatGPT tiers, likely skewing exposure towards patients and caregivers. As with earlier platforms, sensitive categories may remain restricted until governance and safeguards mature.

The main risks are organisational rather than technical. New channels will not fix unclear value propositions or operational bottlenecks. Conversational advertising changes visibility, not fundamentals, and success will depend on responsible integration.

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EMFA guidance sets expectations for Big Tech media protections

The European Commission has issued implementation guidelines for Article 18 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), setting out how large platforms must protect recognised media content through self-declaration mechanisms.

Article 18 has been in effect for 6 months, and the guidance is intended to translate legal duties into operational steps. The European Broadcasting Union welcomed the clarification but warned that major platforms continue to delay compliance, limiting media organisations’ ability to exercise their rights.

The Commission says self-declaration mechanisms should be easy to find and use, with prominent interface features linked to media accounts. Platforms are also encouraged to actively promote the process, make it available in all EU languages, and use standardised questionnaires to reduce friction.

The guidance also recommends allowing multiple accounts in one submission, automated acknowledgements with clear contact points, and the ability to update or withdraw declarations. The aim is to improve transparency and limit unilateral moderation decisions.

The guidelines reinforce the EMFA’s goal of rebalancing power between platforms and media organisations by curbing opaque moderation practices. The impact of EMFA will depend on enforcement and ongoing oversight to ensure platforms implement the measures in good faith.

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ChatGPT begins limited ads test in the US

OpenAI has begun testing advertisements inside ChatGPT for some adult users in the US, marking a major shift for the widely used AI service.

The ads appear only on Free and Go tiers in the US, while paid plans remain ad free. OpenAI says responses are unaffected, though critics warn commercial messaging could blur boundaries over time in the US.

Ads are selected based on conversation topics and prior interactions, prompting concern among privacy advocates in the US. OpenAI says advertisers receive only aggregated data and cannot view conversations.

Industry analysts say the move reflects growing pressure to monetise costly AI infrastructure in the US. Regulators and researchers continue to debate whether advertising can coexist with trust in AI systems.

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US lawsuits target social media platforms for deliberate child engagement designs

A landmark trial has begun in Los Angeles, accusing Meta and Google’s YouTube of deliberately addicting children to their platforms.

The case is part of a wider series of lawsuits across the US seeking to hold social media companies accountable for harms to young users. TikTok and Snap settled before trial, leaving Meta and YouTube to face the allegations in court.

The first bellwether case involves a 19-year-old identified as ‘KGM’, whose claims could shape thousands of similar lawsuits. Plaintiffs allege that design features were intentionally created to maximise engagement among children, borrowing techniques from slot machines and the tobacco industry.

A trial that may see testimony from executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and could last six to eight weeks.

Social media companies deny the allegations, emphasising existing safeguards and arguing that teen mental health is influenced by numerous factors, such as academic pressure, socioeconomic challenges and substance use, instead of social media alone.

Meta and YouTube maintain that they prioritise user safety and privacy while providing tools for parental oversight.

Similar trials are unfolding across the country. New Mexico is investigating allegations of sexual exploitation facilitated by Meta platforms, while Oakland will hear cases representing school districts.

More than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, with TikTok facing claims in over a dozen states. Outcomes could profoundly impact platform design, regulation and legal accountability for youth-focused digital services.

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AI governance takes focus at UN security dialogue

The UN will mark the fourth International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism on 12 February 2026 with a high-level dialogue focused on AI. The event will examine how emerging technologies are reshaping both prevention strategies and extremist threats.

Organised by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in partnership with the Republic of Korea’s UN mission, the dialogue will take place at UN Headquarters in New York. Discussions will bring together policymakers, technology experts, civil society representatives, and youth stakeholders.

A central milestone will be the launch of the first UN Practice Guide on Artificial Intelligence and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The guide offers human rights-based advice on responsible AI use, addressing ethical, governance, and operational risks.

Officials warn that AI-generated content, deepfakes, and algorithmic amplification are accelerating extremist narratives online. Responsibly governed AI tools could enhance early detection, research, and community prevention efforts.

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EU challenges Meta over WhatsApp AI restrictions

The European Commission has warned Meta that it may have breached EU antitrust rules by restricting third-party AI assistants from operating on WhatsApp. A Statement of Objections outlines regulators’ preliminary view that the policy could distort competition in the AI assistant market.

The probe centres on updated WhatsApp Business terms announced in October 2025 and enforced from January 2026. Under the changes, rival general-purpose AI assistants were effectively barred from accessing the platform, leaving Meta AI as the only integrated assistant available to users.

Regulators argue that WhatsApp serves as a critical gateway for consumers AI access AI services. Excluding competitors could reinforce Meta’s dominance in communication applications while limiting market entry and expansion opportunities for smaller AI developers.

Interim measures are now under consideration to prevent what authorities describe as potentially serious and irreversible competitive harm. Meta can respond before any interim measures are imposed, while the broader antitrust probe continues.

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EU faces pressure to boost action on health disinformation

A global health organisation is urging the EU to make fuller use of its digital rules to curb health disinformation as concerns grow over the impact of deepfakes on public confidence.

Warnings point to a rising risk that manipulated content could reduce vaccine uptake instead of supporting informed public debate.

Experts argue that the Digital Services Act already provides the framework needed to limit harmful misinformation, yet enforcement remains uneven. Stronger oversight could improve platforms’ ability to detect manipulated content and remove inaccurate claims that jeopardise public health.

Campaigners emphasise that deepfake technology is now accessible enough to spread false narratives rapidly. The trend threatens vaccination campaigns at a time when several member states are attempting to address declining trust in health authorities.

The EU officials continue to examine how digital regulation can reinforce public health strategies. The call for stricter enforcement highlights the pressure on Brussels to ensure that digital platforms act responsibly rather than allowing misleading material to circulate unchecked.

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Learnovate launches community of practice on AI for learning

The Learnovate Centre, a global innovation hub focused on the future of work and learning at Trinity College Dublin, is spearheading a community of practice on responsible AI in learning, bringing together educators, policymakers, institutional leaders and sector specialists to discuss safe, effective and compliant uses of AI in educational settings.

This initiative aims to help practitioners interpret emerging policy frameworks, including EU AI Act requirements, share practical insights and align AI implementation with ethical and pedagogical principles.

One of the community’s early activities includes virtual meetings designed to build consensus around AI norms in teaching, compliance strategies and knowledge exchange on real-world implementation.

Participants come from diverse education domains, including schools, higher and vocational education and training, as well as representatives from government and unions, reflecting a broader push to coordinate AI adoption across the sector.

Learnovate plays a wider role in AI and education innovation, supporting research, summits and collaborative programmes that explore AI-powered tools for personalised learning, upskilling and ethical use cases.

It also partners with start-ups and projects (such as AI platforms for teachers and learners) to advance practical solutions that balance innovation with safeguards.

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AI-generated ‘slop’ spreads on Spotify, raising platform integrity concerns

A TechRadar report highlights the growing presence of AI-generated music on Spotify, often produced in large quantities and designed to exploit platform algorithms or royalty systems.

These tracks, sometimes described as ‘AI slop’, are appearing in playlists and recommendations, raising concerns about quality control and fairness for human musicians.

The article outlines signs that a track may be AI-generated, including generic or repetitive artwork, minimal or inconsistent artist profiles, and unusually high volumes of releases in a short time. Some tracks also feature vague or formulaic titles and metadata, making them difficult to trace to real creators.

Readers are encouraged to use Spotify’s reporting tools to flag suspicious or low-quality AI content.

The issue is a part of a broader governance challenge for streaming platforms, which must balance open access to generative tools with the need to maintain content quality, transparency and fair compensation for artists.

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