AI, Bots, and Disinformation, Oh My - with Rafi Mendelsohn

Update: 2024-06-28

Description

When your brand, company, country, or even you are the target of social media attacks, what if you can't even identify the source of the problem? What if the attackers aren't real people? What if the entire attack is a complete lie, disinformation spread by bad actors with thousands, or millions, of fake accounts at their disposal? How do you uncover the good, the bad, and the fake online?

In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle is joined by seasoned PR and marketing expert Rafi Mendelsohn, VP of Marketing at Cyabra, a premier media monitoring platform specializing in the detection, identification, and mitigation of malicious actors, bots, bot networks, and generative AI content. Together, they unravel the complexities of the trust crisis exacerbated by advanced technologies like AI and bot networks.

The conversation starts with a deep dive into the pervasive trust issues affecting our institutions and the role of technology in amplifying misinformation and disinformation. With his extensive background in agency and in-house roles across various markets, Rafi brings a unique perspective on how malicious actors use digital platforms to manipulate public discourse.

Dan and Rafi explore the implications of these practices for communicators and marketers. They discuss the challenges of distinguishing between genuine and artificial interactions online and the impact of these interactions on corporate reputation and brand trust.

Rafi shares insights into the mechanics of bot networks and how they are not just limited to political arenas but are pervasive across all sectors, influencing everything from consumer behavior to stock prices. He explains the sophisticated methods these networks use to appear legitimate and the difficulties this presents in identifying and combating them.

Their conversation also covers practical strategies for organizations to protect themselves, emphasizing the importance of advanced media monitoring and the need for a proactive rather than reactive approach to digital threats. Rafi advocates for a blend of technology and traditional communication strategies to effectively manage and mitigate the risks associated with digital misinformation, empowering listeners with actionable advice.

Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of digital misinformation, the tools available to tackle it, and how to strategically position their communications in an increasingly complex digital world. Whether you're a communications professional, a marketer, or simply interested in the impact of technology on public discourse, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice.

Listen in and hear about...

The pervasive trust crisis in modern institutions and the role of misinformation and disinformation.
The impact of AI and technology on the spread of false information through bots and fake accounts.
Strategies for communicators and marketers to identify and combat misinformation in their fields.
The challenges and responsibilities of PR and marketing professionals in managing brand reputation amidst misinformation.
The evolution of malicious actors using sophisticated AI tools to create and spread disinformation.
Practical steps and tools for organizations to detect and mitigate the effects of disinformation on their brands.
Future trends in communication strategies to handle emerging technologies and misinformation threats effectively.

Notable Quotes

On the Trust Crisis:
"We're in the thick of an unprecedented trust crisis. Trust in our institutions, especially government, education, and media, is in freefall. Misinformation and disinformation are everywhere, and it's only getting worse."
— Dan Nestle [00:01:00 → 00:01:20 ]

On the Role of AI in Social Media:
"AI has enabled bad actors to disseminate bad information at scale through deepfakes, AI-enabled content farms, and bots. This is the world we're contending with."
— Dan Nestle [00:01:20 → 00:01:30 ]

On the Role of Communicators:
"As communicators and marketers, we're often on the front lines of this information-driven trust crisis. We have to tell stories, protect our clients and companies, and ensure that the information we share is trustworthy."
— Dan Nestle [00:04:00 → 00:04:20 ]

On the Challenges of Modern Communication:
"We don't know who we're talking to, and we don't know whether we're telling the right stories or if we have the right facts on our side. The whole thing has been corrupted over the last decade or so."
— Dan Nestle [00:04:10 → 00:04:20 ]
Rafi Mendelsohn

On the Role of Bots in Social Media:
"From our research, the average conversation across social media has around four to seven percent of fake accounts. When we start to see certain conversations, whether it's political, wartime, or around brands, and those numbers are significantly higher, that's when we need to take a pause and understand exactly what's going on."
— Rafi Mendelsohn [00:19:01 → 00:19:20 ]

On the Impact of Fake Accounts on Brands:
"Brands can find themselves in hot water, not just because of something they've done, but purely by virtue of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fake accounts can escalate a situation to the point that it gains media attention and impacts the brand's reputation."
— Rafi Mendelsohn [00:31:00 → 00:31:20 ]

On the Importance of Understanding Social Media Conversations:
"We need to differentiate between the fake accounts and the real ones, understand the narratives being pushed by fake accounts, and assess their impact on the real conversation. This is crucial for brands to respond appropriately."
— Rafi Mendelsohn [00:49:00 → 00:49:20 ]

On the Role of GenAI in Communications:
"GenAI can be a powerful tool for communicators. It can help us game out scenarios, prepare responses, and mitigate social media negativity. It's about using the technology to stay ahead of the challenges we face."
— Dan Nestle [00:52:00 → 00:52:20 ]

On the Role of GenAI in Disinformation:
"GenAI is fantastic, but in the hands of malicious actors, it becomes a tool for creating very believable content. This makes it harder for us to distinguish between real and fake accounts, complicating the challenge of maintaining trust."
— Rafi Mendelsohn [00:17:30 → 00:17:45 ]

On the Future of Communications:
"The next six to twelve months are going to be really interesting from our industry perspective. We need to up our game and work through the challenges posed by new technologies and threats to guide our organizations effectively."
— Rafi Mendelsohn [01:03:00 → 01:03:20 ]

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