Connect with us

Tech

TikTok Launches Crowd-Sourced Fact-Checking Tool ‘Footnotes’ in U.S.

Published

on

TikTok has rolled out a new crowd-sourced fact-checking feature in the United States, joining other major social media platforms in enlisting users to help verify content.

The tool, called Footnotes, allows users to add contextual notes to videos and vote on whether other notes should appear. According to TikTok, these footnotes can include expert perspectives on complex topics or additional data to give audiences a more complete understanding of events.

The approach mirrors similar initiatives on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, where community-driven notes have been used to counter misinformation. X introduced its version, originally called Birdwatch, in 2021 and continued it after Elon Musk’s takeover. Meta launched its own programme earlier this year.

Experts say the move reflects a broader trend toward moderation models that emphasize free speech while limiting platform intervention. Otavio Vinhas, a researcher at Brazil’s National Institute of Science and Technology, links the shift to political pressures — particularly in the U.S. — to reduce corporate control over online speech.

Supporters of crowd-sourced moderation point to research suggesting that, when evaluating factual accuracy, large groups can often match professional fact-checkers in identifying reliable information. However, Vinhas notes that TikTok’s version is stricter than others, requiring users to cite sources for their notes — something not mandatory on X.

Still, visibility remains a hurdle. Scott Hale, associate professor at the Oxford Internet Institute, said that most notes on all platforms are never seen. This is due in part to algorithms that test whether people with differing viewpoints find the same note helpful before displaying it publicly. A study by the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas found that over 90% of 1.7 million English and Spanish notes on X never appeared on the platform, with those that did averaging a two-week delay before publication.

See also  Trump Unveils Ambitious US Space Agenda with Moon, Mars and Missile Goals

Hale warns that echo chambers — where users primarily see content that confirms their beliefs — make it difficult for contradicting notes to gain traction. He suggests “gamifying” contributions, similar to Wikipedia’s reward and recognition systems, to encourage greater participation and visibility.

Crowd-sourced notes are just one tool in social media’s moderation toolkit. Platforms like Meta, X, and TikTok also rely on automated systems to flag potential violations, as well as professional fact-checkers to verify claims, often in real time during political or social crises.

Both Hale and Vinhas agree that professional and community-based fact-checking can complement each other — combining grassroots engagement with the depth of trained investigators. For now, TikTok says Footnotes will contribute to a broader global fact-checking programme, though it has not confirmed long-term plans for expansion.

Tech

Google Removes Some AI Health Summaries After Accuracy Concerns

Published

on

Google has reportedly removed certain AI-generated summaries for health-related searches after an investigation found that some of the information provided could be misleading.

The summaries, known as AI Overviews, appear at the top of search results and are designed to provide concise answers to user questions. A report by the Guardian newspaper found that several AI Overviews contained inaccurate health information, raising concerns about potential harm to users.

The investigation highlighted cases where the AI supplied numbers with little context in response to queries such as “what is the normal range for liver blood tests?” and “what is the normal range for liver function tests?” The results did not account for differences based on age, sex, ethnicity, or nationality. In some cases, Google’s AI extracted data from Max Healthcare, an Indian hospital chain in New Delhi, rather than providing verified global medical guidance.

Featured snippets, which also appear at the top of Google search results, differ from AI Overviews because they extract existing text from relevant websites rather than generating new content. However, the Guardian noted that even variations of liver test queries, such as “[liver function test] lft reference range,” continued to produce AI-generated summaries. Liver function tests measure proteins and enzymes in the blood to evaluate how well the liver is performing.

In one example, Google’s AI reportedly advised pancreatic cancer patients to avoid high-fat foods. Experts told the Guardian that such guidance could be dangerous, potentially increasing the risk of mortality among patients.

The Guardian’s findings come amid broader concerns about AI chatbots “hallucinating,” a term used to describe when AI systems generate false or misleading information due to incomplete or inaccurate data. Experts have warned that reliance on AI for medical information could pose serious risks if users interpret these responses as authoritative.

See also  International Criminal Court Suffers Sophisticated Cyberattack Amid NATO Summit

Euronews Next contacted Google to confirm whether AI Overviews had been removed from certain health queries but did not receive an immediate response. Google announced over the weekend that it would expand AI Overviews to Gmail, allowing users to ask questions about their emails and receive automated answers without searching through messages manually.

The development underscores ongoing tensions between AI innovation and accuracy, particularly in sensitive areas such as healthcare. As AI tools become more integrated into search engines and email platforms, experts emphasize the importance of verifying information with trusted medical sources and cautioning users against relying solely on machine-generated summaries.

Continue Reading

Tech

ChatGPT Launches Health Feature to Help Users Manage Medical Information

Published

on

OpenAI has unveiled a new health-focused feature for ChatGPT, aimed at helping users better understand their well-being and prepare for medical conversations. The tool, called ChatGPT Health, connects users’ personal health data, such as medical records and wellness apps, to deliver more personalized guidance.

The feature is designed as a standalone experience within ChatGPT, with health-related chats, files, and connected apps kept separate from users’ other conversations. OpenAI said health information is not shared with non-health chats, and users can view or delete Health memories at any time through the platform’s settings.

“ChatGPT Health is another step toward turning ChatGPT into a personal super-assistant that can support you with information and tools to achieve your goals across any part of your life,” Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s applications CEO, said in a post on Substack.

Users can connect apps such as Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and Function to ChatGPT Health. The AI can then help interpret recent test results, offer guidance for doctor appointments, and provide insights on diet, exercise routines, or healthcare choices. OpenAI emphasized that all app connections require explicit user permission and undergo additional privacy and security reviews.

OpenAI stressed that the tool is not intended to replace medical care. ChatGPT Health is designed to assist users in understanding patterns in their health and supporting everyday wellness questions. The company said the platform was developed with input from more than 260 physicians across 60 countries, who provided feedback on model outputs over 600,000 times.

Health-related queries are already a major reason people use ChatGPT, with the company reporting that over 230 million questions about health and wellness are asked globally each week. ChatGPT Health aims to make these interactions more personalized by leveraging data from users’ medical and wellness apps.

See also  Italy Launches Antitrust Investigation into Meta Over AI Integration in WhatsApp

Access to ChatGPT Health is initially limited to a small group of early users with Free, Go, Plus, or Pro accounts. Users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are not included in the early rollout due to stricter local health and data regulations. Some app integrations and medical record access are currently only available in the United States.

OpenAI said it plans to expand ChatGPT Health to all users on web and iOS in the coming weeks as the platform is refined.

The company highlighted that the feature is meant to complement, not replace, professional medical advice. By providing insights from personal health data and helping users track trends over time, ChatGPT Health seeks to make individuals better prepared for discussions with their healthcare providers.

Continue Reading

Tech

CES 2026 Set to Showcase AI Everywhere, Next-Gen Laptops, and Robotics

Published

on

The world’s largest technology exhibition, CES 2026, opens Tuesday in Las Vegas, following two days of media previews. The event will feature over 4,500 exhibitors, including 1,400 start-ups and major companies such as Meta, Lenovo, Samsung, and Nvidia, offering a glimpse into the latest developments in artificial intelligence, consumer electronics, and robotics.

Last year, CES attracted more than 140,000 attendees across multiple venues, amid economic uncertainty and discussions on tariffs under the Trump Administration. Paolo Pescatore, a tech analyst, said the focus has shifted from simply showcasing connected devices to exploring how people interact with them and the content they access.

Artificial intelligence will play a central role at this year’s show. Industry leaders are integrating AI into nearly every category of technology. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is expected to present the company’s latest productivity-focused AI solutions, while AMD CEO Lisa Su will outline her vision for future AI developments. Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang will also address AI integration in consumer devices and enterprise solutions.

A competition over next-generation chips is anticipated to dominate attention. Intel has unveiled its Core Ultra “Panther Lake” platform, while Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon Elite X2, a mobile processor for Windows on Arm devices. These advancements are expected to spark a wave of new laptop announcements. LG has teased its 2026 Gram Pro line, including what it claims is the “world’s lightest 17-inch RTX laptop.”

Tim Danton, editor of TechFinitive.com, said, “CES 2026 won’t be short of laptops. Intel’s new chips promise high performance and long battery life, and we’re likely to see innovative designs, including rollable screens and more repairable models.”

See also  Meta to Use AI Interactions for Advertising, Raising Fresh Privacy Concerns

CES will also feature innovations across healthcare, wearables, vehicles, and gaming. Sony Honda Mobility is expected to present a production version of its Afeela electric vehicle. Domestic robotics will be highlighted as well, with LG unveiling its helper bot “CLOiD,” designed for indoor household tasks. Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies, said humanoid robots will increasingly appear at the show, marking the rise of “physical AI”—artificial intelligence that manifests in real-world applications such as autonomous cars and home assistants.

Samsung will showcase new uses of OLED technology, integrating it into AI-powered devices to enhance displays, including an AI OLED Bot that functions as a teaching assistant in educational settings.

Bajarin added that concerns over an AI bubble have eased. “This is more of a build-out than a bubble. We are at the start of a major industrial investment cycle, laying the groundwork for future computing capabilities,” he said.

CES 2026 promises a wide array of AI-driven gadgets, next-generation laptops, and autonomous robotics, reflecting the growing influence of artificial intelligence across industries and everyday life.

Continue Reading

Trending