During a recent appearance on “Off Air with Big Boy,” Kamala Harris used an interesting analogy to discuss how social media algorithms influence what users see online, arguing that AI was “dumbing people down.” While many social media users thought the analogy was helpful and agreed with her argument, others, namely her Republican critics, mocked her online, using the insult “word salad” to describe much of her speech. Keep reading for more information.
Kamala Harris Says AI Is ‘Dumbing People Down’
On Thursday, September 24, the former vice president appeared on Off Air with Big Boy, during which she and the host, Big Boy, discussed AI. “So when you look at AI and social media, TikTok, and Instagram, and things,” Big Boy prompted, “what do you feel about the way the messages are being brought to us now with, ‘Oh, this is your algorithm so you’ll see this. This is your algorithm so you’ll see this.’ So we almost get this divided states of America. When you look at what social media is and AI, where does that play a part in what we’re about to see midterms or even in our future, the way we consume now?”
“There is a part of this that is about understanding that, you know, if you keep seeing the same thing over and over again, know that you are being targeted,” Harris responded. “Because you looked at it the first time, they’re just going to keep sending it to you, which means they’re trying to dumb people down with the assumption that people don’t have any interest beyond what they’ve already seen.”
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"Think about that…," she continued. "But the algorithm’s suggesting I have no more interest– because I’m looking at this yellow flower, I’m only interested in yellow flowers, as though my brain can’t handle the fact that there may be a pink flower that I might be interested in looking at."
"And so, part of it is understanding how the algorithm is manipulating us and figuring out how we’re going to psych it out a bit," she concluded.
Social Media Reactions
Many social media users appreciated her take on the subject, leaving comments like, "If Kamala was president we would not be in this mess," and "That's some real truth she's speaking."
"I hope she runs again & maintains this same approach," another user wrote. "We need down-to-earth, authentic, brilliant, diplomacy-centered leadership!"
"The lovely woman I proudly voted for," said another. "What a different world this could have been."
However, others criticized the potential 2028 presidential hopeful. Fox News host Sean Hannity responded, "What was that?" and his partner, host Jimmy Failla, attempted a joke, saying Harris thinks "AI is Allen Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers." Fox News hosts like Sean and Jimmy, among many others, have often criticized Harris for her style of public speaking, what they've dubbed as "word salad." This refers to her tendency to use circular phrasing and abstract platitudes during her speeches.
