The mention of artificial intelligence (AI) often evokes strong emotions, with fear being one of the most common. We’ve all seen the headlines predicting dystopian futures, and who could forget the buzz surrounding 2012’s apocalyptic predictions?
While these may seem far-fetched, they tap into a more profound concern about AI’s potential impact on society. However, as we sift through these exaggerated doom scenarios, we find that many of these fears are designed to provoke anxiety, not grounded in reality.
Maybe the reason is because the unknown floods our fears. Imagine standing in front of a being you know is more intelligent than you. You know you have become a prey.
Not a great feeling. Still, we are a “weird” being. We don’t see lions or jarks devising “things” that can outsmart them to the point of being knocked down from the apex predator list. Or maybe because we know we are training AI to become like us.
Perhaps we should stop calling AI and change to Artificial Human.
The reality is more pragmatic. AI is now embedded in our daily lives and central to business operations. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and countless others rely on the Internet—and increasingly on AI—to survive and thrive. But as AI’s presence grows, so too do the challenges that come with it, especially around the issue of trust.
The Internet, a once-promising space for connection and commerce, is under threat. And while AI offers incredible benefits, it also presents risks that could erode the trust that makes digital economies function.
AI Trust at the Core of Digital Business
Think about how much our daily interactions, transactions, and experiences happen online. We rely on the Internet to connect with others, find information, and even make purchasing decisions. For businesses, trust is the invisible currency that enables them to operate in this space.
Without it, users hesitate to click “buy,” partners pause on deals and communities fragment.
AI, while robust, also introduces vulnerabilities that directly impact trust. One of the key challenges? Misinformation. AI can generate content that is so convincing that it’s difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Whether it’s fake reviews, doctored videos, or misleading articles, the rise of AI-generated misinformation has made it more complicated than ever for people to know what’s genuine online.
This directly affects businesses and their reputation, as trust—once broken—is hard to rebuild.
A 2019 study from MIT found that false news spreads six times faster than the truth on Twitter/X. This is where AI can become a double-edged sword: while it’s a tool that helps scale businesses, improve customer experiences, and even combat fake content, it can also be used to accelerate misinformation.
It’s no surprise that lawmakers are addressing these challenges head-on.
How AI Regulation is Stepping Up
As AI continues to influence the digital landscape, regulatory bodies are noting. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently introduced new rules to crack down on fake online reviews, which have long plagued e-commerce. These rules specifically ban reviews attributed to people who don’t exist, reviews generated by AI, and those written by individuals who have never used the product or service. The move signals a broader effort to restore trust in online platforms and ensure that customers can rely on the authenticity of what they read online.
Beyond the FTC, other legal frameworks are also emerging to protect consumers from AI-driven risks. For example, the Online Safety Act in the UK focuses on making the Internet safer by holding companies accountable for the content shared on their platforms, particularly regarding misinformation. These efforts are crucial because the stakes are high for consumers and businesses dependent on a stable and trusted digital environment.
It’s essential to recognise that while these regulations aim to protect individuals, they are also vital for protecting commerce itself. When people lose faith in the information they encounter online, it undermines their confidence in engaging in digital transactions. Laws like these are about guarding against AI’s darker potentials and ensuring that the Internet remains a viable space for business.
The AI Fragile Future of Trust Online
The future of the Internet and digital commerce is delicately balanced on the thread of trust. It’s easy to take this for granted when seamless transactions and experiences feel authentic. But as AI continues to evolve, so do the risks it poses to this delicate balance. If trust in digital systems erodes, the consequences could be significant. A lack of confidence can stall innovation, disrupt markets, and even cripple businesses.
And trust doesn’t just vanish overnight; it’s eroded bit by bit. Every fake review, every misleading piece of information, and every instance of compromised data chips away at the faith people have in digital platforms. The Internet thrives on the confidence of its users, and if that confidence falters, we could see a dramatic shift in how businesses and consumers interact online.
Building a AI Future Based on Trust
So, where does that leave us? As AI continues to develop, we’re faced with a critical question: What role will we play in shaping the future of the Internet? Will we sit back and let the risks of AI diminish the trust we’ve built, or will we actively work to maintain and strengthen that trust?
For businesses, this means embracing transparency, investing in systems that promote security, and taking a proactive stance on combatting misinformation. For individuals, it means becoming more discerning about the content we consume and share and demanding more from the platforms we use.
Our collective efforts to maintain trust will determine the future of the Internet—and the businesses that depend on it. AI is not inherently good or bad; it’s a tool. How we use it will dictate whether the digital world thrives or crumbles.
So, as the future of the Internet hangs in the balance, ask yourself: Will you be part of building a digital world grounded in trust, or will you watch it unravel?