Show-Me State Times

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a significant part of everyday life, influencing various aspects from household chores to online shopping. Jared Schroeder, a professor at the University of Missouri's School of Journalism, views AI as an integral part of the future but acknowledges its complexities.

Schroeder, who has experience in journalism and studies freedom of expression and emerging technologies, explores how AI is reshaping journalism and what this means for democracy. He likens the rise of AI to the fictional advancements in Jurassic Park, where scientists recreated dinosaurs without considering if they should.

AI acts as a new gatekeeper for ideas because it is embedded in search engines and used by many to access information. "We need to develop a literacy for processing information from AI," said Schroeder. He emphasized that AI is limited by its training data and corporate ownership with profit motives. Moreover, he warned against sharing private information with AI tools due to privacy concerns.

Schroeder predicts that within five years, much of the internet content will be generated by AI. This shift requires individuals to maintain healthy skepticism about the information they encounter online.

In his role on Mizzou’s Provost Taskforce for AI, Schroeder believes universities must adapt to changes brought by AI technology. He envisions new scholarship programs that equip students with necessary skills for an AI-infused job market. "Preparing students would involve explaining the ways in which AI tools are trained," he stated.

While recognizing the utility of AI tools, Schroeder stresses that students should appreciate human capabilities such as writing effectively without relying on technology. "Messages have meaning when they’re written by humans," he noted.

Schroeder uses AI as an idea generator and encourages others to do so while cautioning against letting it replace their work entirely. "AI is like a tidal wave; it's coming whether we’re ready for it or not," he remarked, urging society to consider how humans can remain integral alongside advancing technology.

Three suggestions are offered for using AI effectively: employing tools like ChatGPT during brainstorming sessions; utilizing productivity aids such as Gemini or CoPilot for managing emails; and leveraging AI for creative problem-solving.