NYTimes Hard Fork discusses polls showing AI companies lost public trust

In short: A New York Times podcast episode said polls show AI companies have lost public trust and asked what they can do to earn it back.

What's going on

On the latest episode of Hard Fork, New York Times hosts Casey Newton and Kevin Roose focused on public skepticism toward artificial intelligence, also called AI (computer systems that can produce text, images, or audio).

The show discussed polls that, according to the hosts, suggest AI companies are no longer trusted by many people. The available excerpt does not include the poll numbers, which polls were referenced, or which specific companies were mentioned.

The episode also included guest Arijeta Lajka, a New York Times reporter. She talked about AI-generated short videos spreading on YouTube, sometimes called “slop,” meaning low-quality content made quickly in large volumes (like junk mail, but as videos).

A companion YouTube Short from the podcast asked, “What Can A.I. Companies Do to Win Public Trust?” It linked the question to public backlash against AI, including cases where anger has escalated to violence in the US. The excerpt does not list specific steps or recommendations.

What to watch

If more details from the polls and the episode are shared, watch for concrete examples of what people say they want, such as clearer labeling of AI-made content, better ways to report abuse, and stronger safety rules. Public trust tends to return slowly, and it usually depends on whether everyday experiences improve, not just on promises.

Source: NYTimes