On Safer Internet Day, attendees participated in the Turing test to assess their ability to differentiate between human communication and that generated by artificial intelligence. The results revealed a concerning 40% failure rate, where participants could not correctly identify which texts were written by humans, indicating the growing sophistication of AI in mimicking human writing styles. This raises significant concerns regarding digital literacy and the increasing difficulty in discerning real human interaction from simulated AI responses in an increasingly automated world.

Maija Katkovska, the director of the Latvian Safer Internet Center, emphasized that this issue is not limited to text alone; many individuals, including youth, struggle to recognize artificially created or edited photographs, which pose serious internet safety risks. These misleading images and texts can be exploited for harmful purposes, such as cyberbullying, harassment, and even the creation of explicit content using publicly available information on minors. These potential risks are among the key priorities for the center this year, as they aim to promote awareness and develop strategies for safer online experiences.

The center is actively working to educate young people about their online accounts, the tools for monitoring and controlling their digital presence, and media literacy. Katkovska pointed out that there are plenty of resources available on their website that address these various aspects of internet safety to help navigate the challenges posed by modern technology. Understanding the implications of AI and digital content is essential for fostering a safer online environment for everyone, particularly for vulnerable groups like teenagers.