Social media faces bot challenges; user verification needed

Social media platforms are facing challenges with the rise of bots that mimic human users. These bots, initially created to share helpful information, now often have harmful intents like spamming and scamming. Rodger Desai, CEO of Prove, notes that AI technology has made it easier to create these bots. As social media has changed to become more about information sharing, the number of malicious users has increased. This creates problems for real users who struggle to identify genuine content. The effectiveness of social media relies on authentic human engagement. Users expect to find credible news and discussions. However, poor verification systems lead to a negative experience filled with spam. Without proper identity checks, users must be more cautious about the content they encounter. Many users are moving to platforms with better verification measures, as they seek safer environments to connect. This situation puts pressure on platforms to maintain their social functions and foster community trust. The presence of AI-powered bots affects both user interaction and advertising. Bots can inflate engagement metrics, misleading advertisers and undermining human creators. Authentic engagement is essential for building audiences and earning revenue. Bots often fail to convincingly mimic human behavior, making them easy to spot. Improved verification practices are needed so both real users and bots are identified correctly. Linking verified identities to automated accounts could enhance trust and reduce spam. Platforms should also explore using technology to simplify the verification process for users. A more secure environment will likely attract more users, enhancing engagement and establishing the platform's reputation as safe and trustworthy. In summary, addressing these issues with bots and verification is crucial. Increased trust can lead to better interactions on social media, benefiting everyone involved.