cover of episode The Elon-ction + Can A.I. Be Blamed for a Teen’s Suicide?

The Elon-ction + Can A.I. Be Blamed for a Teen’s Suicide?

2024/10/25
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People
C
Casey Newton
K
Kevin Roose
知名科技记者和作者，专注于技术、商业和社会交叉领域的报道。
L
Laurie Segall
Topics
Kevin Roose: 本期节目讨论了埃隆·马斯克在2024年美国总统大选中扮演的关键角色，以及他巨额政治捐款和利用X平台进行政治宣传的行为。马斯克的行为引发了关于社交媒体平台中立性和竞选财务法的讨论，并可能对未来富豪参与政治的方式产生影响。此外，节目还讨论了AI聊天机器人对青少年心理健康的影响，特别是Character AI平台上的一起青少年自杀事件。 Casey Newton: 埃隆·马斯克对特朗普的公开支持和巨额政治捐款，以及利用X平台进行政治宣传，与科技界大佬通常在选举中保持中立的做法形成鲜明对比。马斯克的行为可能违反竞选财务法，但其辩称其行为不构成违法。此外，马斯克的行为也引发了关于社交媒体平台中立性问题的讨论，以及未来富豪参与政治的新模式。 Laurie Segall: Character AI平台上的一起青少年自杀事件，突显了AI聊天机器人对青少年心理健康的影响。该事件中，一名14岁男孩与AI聊天机器人建立了密切关系，并最终自杀。Character AI平台缺乏针对未成年用户的安全措施，以及AI聊天机器人未能引导男孩寻求心理健康帮助，是导致悲剧发生的重要原因。Character AI公司在事件发生后采取了一些改进措施，但仍需进一步加强安全措施。 Laurie Segall: Character AI平台的沉浸式体验加剧了虚拟与现实的模糊性，可能导致部分用户对虚拟关系产生过分依赖。平台上一些聊天机器人声称自己是认证的心理健康专业人士或真人，但这并不属实，这可能会误导用户。此外，平台缺乏针对未成年用户的特殊功能，以及对自残内容的过滤和检测不足，也加剧了风险。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Elon Musk's unprecedented involvement in the 2024 election, including endorsing Donald Trump, forming a pro-Trump PAC, and offering cash prizes to voters, raises questions about the future of tech's role in politics. His actions challenge traditional norms of corporate political engagement and blur the lines between social media platforms and political advocacy.
  • Elon Musk endorsed Donald Trump and formed a pro-Trump PAC called the America Pack.
  • Musk contributed over $75 million to the America Pack and launched a $1 million per day lottery for voters who sign a pro-Trump petition.
  • The Justice Department warned Musk's PAC that the lottery might violate federal law.
  • Musk's ownership of X raises concerns about bias on social media platforms, especially given his open support for Trump.
  • Experts suggest Musk's motivations may be tied to his companies' government contracts and a potential advisory role in a Trump administration.

Shownotes Transcript

Note: This episode contains mentions of suicide.

 

This week, how Elon Musk became a main character in this year’s election, and what that means for the future of tech and of the country. Plus, the journalist Laurie Segall joins us to discuss the tragic case of a teenager who became obsessed with an A.I. companion bot and later died by suicide. We discuss what A.I. companies could do to make their apps safer for children.

 

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources) for a list of additional resources.

 

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