The world is rapidly changing and in the age of fast-paced information, it is important to be informed. Ignorance is no longer bliss. And being informed is not just knowing the facts but knowing what sources are reliable when it comes to getting those facts, because stories can be spun with bias so that even the facts can become fact-ish.
When I was in college and went through my journalism classes, we were told to always have at least two sources — more if possible — to make sure that you have all the facts and angles of a story before reporting it. Being informed is not only a matter of knowledge, but also of responsibility. The more we know, the better we can understand the world around us and the better choices we can make.
Being informed means being aware of what is happening in the world, both locally and globally. It means keeping up with news, understanding current events and being knowledgeable about critical issues. This is especially important in today’s world where misinformation and fake news are rampant. In a world where news is readily accessible and shared on social media, it can be difficult to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources. Being informed means taking the time to research and verify information before accepting it as true.
This is becoming even more important as we are entering into a world where we may not even be able to trust our own senses. Artificial Intelligence has been a topic of interest for many over the last few months. From AI image generators, which are being used to design works of art, to ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that is being used to write everything from stories, research papers and even part of a recent “South Park” episode, it seems like we are growing ever closer to a dystopian future that resembles those in films like “The Terminator,” “iRobot” or “The Matrix.”
This technology is already being used by tech-savvy criminals who are evolving the tried-and-true art of scamming people out of money over the phone. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert warning people of scammers using AI voice clone generators to make it sound like you are receiving a panicked call from a loved one. In the past, these crooks would call pretending to be a cop, a lawyer, a member of the IRS or any number of authority figures and try to get you to send them money to avoid any legal or criminal charges from being brought upon you. Now, they can pretend to be your own children, spouse, parent or anyone you care about.
“A scammer could use AI to clone the voice of your loved one,” the FTC states. “All he needs is a short audio clip of your family member’s voice — which he could get from content posted online — and a voice-cloning program. When the scammer calls you, he’ll sound just like your loved one.”
This scam isn’t just impacting naïve, older individuals who are being scammed out of hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars. There have already been instances where this technology has let scammers pretend to be bank managers and corporate CEOs and have hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen in the blink of an eye.
With technology advancing at lightning speed, how can anyone safeguard themselves? The FTC is advising that if anyone calls you, even if it sounds like you know them, asking for money, hang up immediately and call the person who supposedly contacted you — even if they popped up on your caller ID because that can be manipulated too — and verify the story. Use a phone number you know is theirs. If you can’t reach your loved one, try to get in touch with them through another family member or their friends. Whatever you do, DO NOT send anyone any money.
Another way to help yourself is to not make it so easy to obtain a voice sample by posting so much on social media. I know we live in a world where if you don’t post about it then it didn’t happen but the more videos, photos and recordings you post online, the more samples someone will have to digitally clone you.
Be safe, be vigilant and be informed. You can start by reading the latest issue of your trusted LGBTQ+ news source, Watermark. In this issue, we look at LGBTQ+ travel around the world in some beautiful locations — India, Morocco and Cabo San Lucas.
In Arts and Entertainment, we look at American Stage’s latest In The Park production, “Ragtime,” playing now through May 14 in St. Petersburg’s Demens Landing Park. We also kick up our heels with Orlando Shakes as they bring the Broadway sensation, “Kinky Boots,” to their stage, playing now through April 30. Finally, we preview Orlando Ballet’s take on Tennessee Williams’ 1948 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
