Recently, Elon Musk acknowledged that the artificial intelligence (AI) system on X, the website that was formerly known as Twitter, is not sophisticated enough to recognise user intent. The problem is that the algorithm cannot determine why a user interacts with a content in any way, be it by liking, sharing, or commenting. Musk claims that the platform’s existing algorithm makes the assumption that users who interact with material want to see more of it.
Elon Musk on Problem with X’s Algorithm
Elon Musk has acknowledged openly that X’s algorithm has flaws and that the AI isn’t sophisticated enough to comprehend the nuances of user interactions. When a user shares a post because they find it offensive or disagreeable, for instance, the algorithm may misinterpret this as a request for more content of the same kind. He stated, “The X algorithm assumes that if you interact with content, you want to see more of that content. One of the strongest signals is if you forward X posts to friends, it assumes you like that content a lot, because it takes effort to forward. Unfortunately, if the actual reason you forwarded the content to friends was because you were outraged by it, we are currently not smart enough to realize that.”
The Need for Better Understanding of User Intent
There are serious ramifications when an AI program fails to recognise the emotional tone or intention underlying a user’s actions. The algorithm should ideally be able to distinguish between a user sharing a post because they think it’s worthwhile and just because they’re having a negative response. Musk acknowledges that X’s technology is still developing and has not yet reached this degree of sophistication.
Real-World Examples of Algorithmic Misunderstandings
When a user asked Musk why they were seeing postings from US presidential contender Kamala Harris, it was evident how limited the algorithm was. Musk answered, “I see them too (sigh), it is because I replied to some of her posts.” This illustration highlights the requirement for a more sophisticated system that filters content according to user preferences rather than merely basic engagement indicators.
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