As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow and evolve, it is becoming increasingly common for AI systems to be used to generate content for the web. In fact, it seems likely that the amount of AI-generated content on the web will only continue to increase exponentially in the coming years.
But what does this mean for the average internet user? Will the web become even more flooded with low-quality, misleading, or simply meaningless content? Or will AI-generated content bring new value and insights to the online world?
One potential concern is that AI-generated content could be used to spread misinformation or to manipulate public opinion. Already, we have seen instances of AI being used to generate fake news or to create deepfake videos that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. If these trends continue, it could become increasingly difficult for ordinary users to distinguish between genuine and artificial content.
AI-generated content is not inherently bad though. There are many potential benefits to using AI to create content. For example, AI systems could be used to generate news articles, social media posts, or other types of content much faster than a human could. This could allow for more timely and accurate reporting of events happening in the world.
Furthermore, AI-generated content could be used to provide new insights and perspectives on various topics. For example, an AI system could be trained on a large dataset of scientific articles and then used to generate new research papers or to identify trends and patterns that might not be immediately apparent to a human researcher.
Can Verifiable Credentials be used to highlight content created and shared by real humans?
So, what can be done to ensure that AI-generated content is used in a way that won’t destroy digital trust? One solution that we are exploring is the use of verifiable credentials. Verifiable Credentials are digital documents that can be used to verify the identity of an individual or organization and to confirm that they have certain qualifications or expertise. By using verifiable credentials, it would be possible to authenticate the source of a piece of content and to ensure that it is not being generated by an AI system acting autonomously.
These credentials can be stored on a decentralized data network (we are using Ceramic for this) or other secure platform and can be easily accessed and verified by anyone who has the necessary permissions. By using verifiable credentials, it would be possible to authenticate the source of a piece of content and to ensure that it is being shared by a real human with a global reputation attached to its profile.
For example, a journalist could use a verifiable credential to prove that they are a legitimate member of the media and that their work is not being generated by an AI. Similarly, a research organization could use a verifiable credential to prove that their studies are being conducted by qualified researchers and not by an AI system. In this way, verifiable credentials can help to authenticate and identify content shared by real humans, allowing users to have greater confidence in the reliability and integrity of the information they consume online.
At Orbis, we are building a web3 social protocol that is deeply embedded with verifiable credentials, Orbis is able to allow profiles to have a global reputation that can be used across the internet. This means that individuals and organizations can use verifiable credentials to authenticate their identities and to prove that they have certain qualifications or expertise.
In this way, Orbis is helping to create a more trusted web by giving users a way to verify the credibility of the individuals and organizations behind the content they consume online. By using verifiable credentials, users can have greater confidence in the reliability and integrity of the information they encounter on the web. In addition, by establishing a reputation for individuals and organizations, Orbis is helping to build trust between users and to create a more trustworthy online environment overall.
In conclusion, the growing use of AI to generate content for the web is likely to bring both challenges and opportunities. While it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with AI-generated content, it is also important to recognize the potential value that it can bring. By embracing solutions like verifiable credentials, we can ensure that the content on the web remains authentic and trustworthy but one question remains: if the content is accurate, informative, and valuable, does it really matter who or what created it?