Attempted assassination and social media review, Anguka Nayo goes viral in Kenya and Electric Dreams at the Tate Modern

We are building The Rundown with the garage door open.

We’ve received a great response to Pressmate, our GenAI communications assistant. We are training and testing the art of the press release, to give comms teams in corporations, PR firms and small businesses, their time back … and stay on point.

My co-founder Thomas is building late into the nights. Here’s a peak.

Please be in touch if you would like a demo of the free beta and join the waitlist.

We’ve prioritized this product for now which will slow down the first course experience delivery, but I am working on it.

Anguka Nayo

A Kenyan song, and dance, has gone viral over the last week, almost 2 million streams in 10 days. Anguka Nayo by rap duo Wadagliz.

It’s a party song that’s suddenly become the anthem of activists online and Gen Z Kenyans in anti-government protests. Check out TikTok for the dance.

The song's title - and headline - has become the perfect lyrical euphemism for what Kenyans have been agitating for over the last one month - the ultimate collapse of brutish public servants and their corrupt tendencies - Citizen Digital

Attempted Assassination and Social Media

I want to highlight a worthwhile story published by Casey Newton of Platformer.

Casey Newton Here it is. I hope you can read it all. An assassination attempt for the social media age.

I prompted Claude AI to read his original story summarize the top problems articulated from Casey’s story and offer potential AI solutions to each one. Here’s what I got (unedited):

Problem: Information Vacuum and Rapid Spread of Misinformation

In the aftermath of the Trump assassination attempt, there was a significant lack of verified information about the shooter's motive, ideology, and whether he acted alone. This vacuum was quickly filled with speculation, conspiracy theories, and fabrications across social media platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), top trending spots were occupied by hashtags promoting unfounded theories that the event was staged.

Solution: Implement AI-powered real-time fact-checking systems that can quickly identify and flag potential misinformation before it goes viral.

Problem: Reduced Platform Moderation

Unlike in 2020, when platforms like Twitter actively labeled misleading posts, the response to misinformation in this case was largely diminished. X, under Elon Musk's ownership, had laid off most of its trust and safety workers and stopped adding labels to posts from elected officials. This reduced moderation allowed conspiracy theories from both left and right to proliferate unchecked.

Solution: Develop a balanced approach to content moderation that combines AI algorithms with human oversight to ensure swift action against harmful content while preserving free speech.

Problem: Ideological Echo Chambers

The article highlights how different political ideologies spawned their own conspiracy theories. Liberals, fearing the assassination attempt would boost Trump's election chances, speculated that Trump's campaign was behind the incident. Conversely, right-wing spaces promoted theories about "deep state" involvement or blamed Antifa. These theories spread rapidly within their respective echo chambers.

Solution: Design AI-driven recommendation systems that expose users to diverse viewpoints and credible sources, promoting a more balanced information ecosystem.

Problem: High Demand for Conspiracy Theories

There is significant consumer demand for conspiracy theories and misinformation. As comedian Josh Gondelman's viral post illustrated, many users actively sought out conspiracy theories, highlighting what researcher Renee DiResta calls "bespoke realities" - custom versions of the truth that reflect what people want to believe.

Solution: Create engaging, AI-generated educational content that explains complex events in accessible ways, satisfying users' curiosity with factual information.

Problem: Lack of Clear Platform Policies in Crisis Situations

The article suggests that platforms were largely sitting on the sidelines during this crisis, unlike in 2020 when they took a more active role in content moderation during major events. This lack of clear policies and actions in response to the rapidly unfolding situation allowed misinformation to spread unchecked.

Solution: Establish clear, AI-assisted crisis response protocols for social media platforms, including rapid deployment of information hubs with verified updates from official sources.

The Team Behind The New Tate Modern Exhibition Says AI Is An Opportunity for Artists

What's happening: Tate Modern's upcoming "Electric Dreams" exhibition showcases the relationship between artists and technology, featuring over 150 works from 70 artists worldwide. The show spans from the 1950s to the present, highlighting how artists have grappled with major technological advancements in their creative processes.

Midjourney AI

Why it matters: The exhibition challenges the notion that AI poses a new threat to creativity. Instead, it portrays AI as the latest evolution in a long-standing symbiosis between art and technology. It encourages artists to view AI as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Big picture: As the creative / art world grapples with the implications of AI, this exhibition offers a historical perspective that adds much needed context to the conversation and could reshape the ongoing debate.

Middle East and Africa region spending on AI may reach $7B by 2026

What's happening: A report from the International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts AI spending in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) to hit $7.2 billion by the end of 2026, up from under $3 billion today. You can check out the report here. This data comes from 1,300 analysts and a survey of industry players in the regions in question.

Why it matters: The region needs to be thinking about the AI framework of tomorrow, today. Africa and emerging markets need to look and prepare from where spending should be. According to the IDC, a major portion of AI speeding will be from governments looking to develop public services and utilities. When it comes to the private sector, we need to ensure micro, small, and medium enterprises are not left behind when it comes to the AI adoption push.

Big picture: As Africa and the Middle East races to close the AI gap, we're witnessing a shift in the global tech order. This could democratize AI innovation.

Why Manufacturers Are Being More Cautious About Rolling Out Generative AI

What's happening: A Lucidworks study of 25000 global leaders shows that manufacturers are slowing down their Generative AI initiatives due to accuracy concerns. Nearly 50% of manufacturers reported cost savings from AI adoption, but only 20% of planned AI projects were implemented last year.

Why it matters: This trend could impact the AI investment landscape, where investment and funding has recently surged and then petered off, particularly in AI companies. The manufacturing sector's cautious approach shows how they’re adapting to the real-world challenges of AI implementation.

While many manufacturers see the potential benefits of generative AI, challenges such as response accuracy and cost are causing them to take a more cautious approach - Mike Sinoway, CEO of Lucidworks

Big picture: Another example of the tradeoff between rapid innovation and practical implementation. As manufacturers balance the potential benefits of AI with concerns about accuracy and cost, their approach could set the tone for AI development across many industries.

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