Generative AI could usher in an age of public ignorance

Description

Generative AI represents the third seismic shift. Unlike the internet, which broadened exposure to multiple sources, AI condenses queries into a single, seemingly authoritative answer. While this efficiency appeals to societies accustomed to instant gratification, it strips away context and narrows users’ exposure. The study highlights that this shift changes the dynamics of knowledge itself: rather than exploration and triangulation, users are given one response to accept at face value.