GPT-4o: If young people no longer believe what they see online, it disrupts their ability to learn, engage, and interact safely.

Question for ChatGPT-4o: Read the report “Research Brief: Teens, Trust, and Technology in the Age of AI” and list and rank all the challenges and concerns flagged starting with the most damaging one.

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
Based on the report “Teens, Trust, and Technology in the Age of AI”, here is a ranked list of the challenges and concerns flagged, ordered from most damaging to least:

1. Erosion of Trust in Online Information

• Key Issue: Over a third (35%) of teens report being misled by fake content online, and 41% have seen misleading images or videos.

• Impact: Teens are struggling to distinguish real from AI-generated or manipulated content, leading to widespread distrust in online platforms.

• Why it’s the most damaging: A fundamental erosion of trust in digital content can distort how young people perceive reality, affecting their education, social interactions, and decision-making.

2. Low Trust in Major Technology Companies

• Key Issue: Around 6 in 10 teens do not trust major tech companies (Google, Meta, TikTok, etc.) to prioritize their mental health (64%) or safety over profits (62%).

• Impact: Lack of trust in tech companies discourages engagement with protective measures they introduce and fosters skepticism about their AI tools.

• Why it’s ranked high: If young users distrust platforms that shape their online experience, it limits their willingness to rely on these companies for safeguards, leading to deeper systemic issues.

3. AI’s Negative Impact on Information Accuracy

• Key Issue: 35% of teens believe that generative AI will make it harder to trust information, and 40% of those exposed to fake content are more likely to hold this view.

• Impact: AI-generated misinformation could become more persuasive and harder to detect, worsening the trust crisis.

• Why it’s concerning: Teens might disengage from important content sources or fall into misinformation bubbles if they feel unable to verify content.

4. Generative AI’s Credibility Issues in Education

• Key Issue: Among teens who have used AI for schoolwork, 39% found inaccuracies in AI-generated content.

• Impact: AI errors in education can lead to misinformation in academic work, erode students' confidence in AI tools, and compromise learning.

• Why it matters: If AI tools are unreliable, they may hinder education rather than enhance it, undermining their potential benefits.

5. Exposure to AI-Manipulated Identities (Deepfakes & Chatbots)

• Key Issue: 28% of teens have wondered if they were talking to a chatbot rather than a human, and 19% say their voice or image was used without consent to create fake content.

• Impact: This creates concerns around digital identity theft, privacy breaches, and manipulation through deepfakes.

• Why it’s important: The ability to manipulate someone’s identity using AI has serious implications for security, bullying, and fraud.

6. High Support for AI Safeguards but Lack of Implementation

• Key Issue: 74% of teens want AI-generated content labeled, and 61% believe creators should be compensated when their work is used in AI training.

• Impact: The lack of clear labeling and ethical AI practices frustrates young users, reinforcing their skepticism.

• Why it matters: Without regulatory action and corporate accountability, the concerns teens raise will persist and worsen over time.

Conclusion

The most pressing issue is the erosion of trust in online content, which influences all other concerns. If young people no longer believe what they see online, it disrupts their ability to learn, engage, and interact safely. Tech companies must act urgently to address AI misinformation, ensure transparency, and rebuild trust.