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How does expert content work with AI?
Robert Carter

Expert content works with AI in powerful, complementary ways—enhancing both discoverability and credibility. Here's how:Training & Context: AI systems rely on authoritative content to learn accurate, high-quality information. Expert-generated content helps improve AI outputs by serving as a trusted source.Summarization & Amplification: AI can analyze expert content to generate summaries, social posts, email campaigns, or FAQs—amplifying reach while preserving credibility.Search & Matching: AI-powered search tools use expert content to match users (e.g., journalists, customers, event planners) with the most relevant expertise faster and more accurately.Personalization: AI can use expert insights to tailor content recommendations to individual interests or roles, increasing engagement.Verification & Trust Signals: Content backed by verified experts gives AI-driven platforms (like search engines or news feeds) strong trust signals, boosting visibility and user confidence.

Taylor Swift recently took to her Instagram page to “set the record straight” about an AI version of her that had “endorsed” Former President Donald Trump. What are some of the things people can look for to know if a celebrity has indeed endorsed a candidate?
Lance Hunter, PhD

People can go to the celebrity’s social media page to see their recent social media activity. On the page, people can search for information regarding political endorsements. People should be aware that many fake and parody social media accounts exist for celebrities, so people need to make sure they locate the real social media accounts of the celebrity in question. Also, people can search reputable news sources to see if there is any verifiable information (i.e., the information has been verified by other reputable news sources) regarding celebrity endorsements.

Can we tell the difference between real and fake where AI is involved?
Craig Albert, PhD

There’s nothing the public can do in determining if the AI generated images or propaganda is real or not. So right now the public really just has to rely on the U.S. Intelligence community and the social networks, social media networks themselves to tell you if something is AI generated or if it’s been altered or might be a deepfake. The intelligence community of the United States has the capability to tell us something is a deepfake, for instance, through its reverse AI technology.

How is AI a dangerous tool that's being used today? 
Craig Albert, PhD

AI is a very new tool that can influence people’s minds and influence elections overall. The first way AI can really damage and interfere with an election is through the use of what we call ‘deep fakes’. AI can be utilized to create fake pictures, fake movies, fake videos, with sound, that look and sound identical to the person they are trying to impersonate on the video.

What are best practices for the public to decipher between AI generated posts and what's legitimate?
Lance Hunter, PhD

“One thing the average person can do is be very wary of what you’re seeing and ask yourself does this seem legitimate?” he added. “If everyone is saying the exact same thing, that’s a tell sometimes. Also, where does this information originate from and what are the timestamps on the posts? Something else is to look at the individual who made the post. Who are these people and who’s following them? You may be able to see if they are legitimate accounts.”

How do user-friendly AI systems like ChatGPT impact your work?
David Bader

It enriches the palette of methodologies and technologies at our disposal, enabling us to tackle more ambitious projects with greater efficiency and creativity. By integrating these AI systems into our research and educational programs, we're not just enhancing our ability to process and analyze data. We're also empowering students and researchers with the means to innovate and explore new horizons in data science without being hindered by the technical complexities that once acted as barriers.

Some information workers fear that AI will make their careers obsolete. But tech progress can’t be stopped, so how should people adapt?
David Bader

By embracing these technologies, learning to work alongside them and leveraging their capabilities to enhance our own skill sets and productivity. Also, it's important to focus on the uniquely human skills that AI cannot replicate, such as creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking. By honing these abilities, workers can ensure they remain irreplaceable components of the workforce, capable of tasks that require a human touch — from complex decision-making to empathetic interactions with customers or clients.

What should non-programmers learn about AI?
David Bader

It’s important to be aware of how AI decisions are made, the potential biases in AI systems and the ethical considerations of AI use. Additionally, developing data literacy is crucial, as it enables individuals to evaluate AI outputs and understand the importance of data quality and biases. A basic grasp of AI and machine learning concepts — even without programming skills — can demystify AI technologies and reveal their potential applications. Staying informed about AI advancements across various sectors can also inspire innovative ideas and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.

There’s a sci-fi plot where computers get so smart that people lose control. The new class of user-friendly AI is making people excited but also nervous. Should we be afraid?
David Bader

While it’s natural to harbor concerns about the rapid progression of AI, allowing fear to dominate the discourse would be a disservice to the potential benefits these technologies can offer. Instead, this moment calls for proactive engagement with AI and an investment in understanding its inner workings, limitations and the ethical dilemmas it presents. By advocating for responsible AI development, emphasizing education and promoting transparency, we can foster an environment where AI serves as a tool for societal advancement. This approach ensures that we remain at the helm of AI's trajectory, steering it toward outcomes that uplift humanity rather than scenarios that fuel dystopian fears.

What other emerging technologies excite you in their potential to transform computing?
David Bader

Quantum computing. This technology, with its potential to solve complex problems exponentially faster than classical computers, could revolutionize fields ranging from cryptography to drug discovery, climate modeling and beyond. Quantum computing's promise to tackle challenges currently beyond our reach, due to its fundamentally different approach to processing information, represents a leap forward in our computational capabilities. Its convergence with AI could lead to unprecedented advancements, making this era an incredibly thrilling time to be at the forefront of computing and data science.