We are living in the age of the algorithm. From drafting emails to debugging code, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly become the helpful assistant we never knew we needed. We turn to it for answers, advice, and even companionship. But as we grow more dependent on these digital oracles, a critical question arises: Whose interests are they actually serving?
Recent developments suggest that the “neutral” AI assistants we trust may be shifting towards a future of commercial manipulation and historical revisionism.
The Commercialisation of Truth
For years, the promise of AI agents like ChatGPT was a clean, ad-free interface that simply provided the best answer. That era appears to be ending.
Recent reports from Bleeping Computer indicate that OpenAI is testing an advertising framework within ChatGPT. Leaked details from an Android beta version reveal references to “search ads” and “bazaar content”. This is a fundamental shift in how we interact with AI.
Currently, if you ask for a recommendation on software or health supplements, you expect an answer based on data and merit. However, if AI becomes an ad-supported platform, the dynamic changes. The AI might not suggest the best product for you, but rather the one that paid to be mentioned.
Consider the risks:
- Subtle Manipulation: Unlike a banner ad on a website, an AI ad could be woven directly into the conversational answer, making it difficult to distinguish between objective fact and paid promotion.
- Data Harvesting: To serve effective ads, platforms need to know you intimately. The “helpful assistant” could become a surveillance tool, gathering data on your fears, health concerns, and spending habits to sell to the highest bidder.
The Erasure of History
If commercial manipulation is worrying, political manipulation is terrifying. We have seen how AI can be used not just to sell products, but to rewrite reality.
According to ABC, Leaked documents have recently revealed how advanced AI is being used in China to enforce censorship regarding the Tiananmen Square massacre. The technology has evolved beyond simple keyword blocking. It can now identify and censor visual metaphors—such as a picture of “one banana and four apples”—because the arrangement resembles the famous “Tank Man” photo.
This is a stark reminder that AI does not “know” the truth; it processes data according to the rules set by its controllers. If an AI is trained to ignore certain historical events or biased against specific viewpoints, it creates a “fake history”. Users relying on these systems for education or information are unknowingly stepping into a curated reality where facts are filtered out before they ever reach the screen.
The “Fake Future” Risk
When you combine commercial bias with political censorship, you face a crisis of trust.
Imagine searching for financial advice. Is the AI suggesting a specific bank because it has the best interest rates, or because that bank bought the “ad slot” in the conversation? Imagine researching a historical event. Is the AI giving you the full picture, or a sanitised version approved by a regulator?
This leads to a “fake future”—a world where our decisions are based on manipulated data. For businesses, this poses a tangible risk. Making strategic decisions based on biased AI output could lead to financial loss or reputational damage.
How to Protect Your Reality
As we navigate this new landscape, we must remain vigilant. Here are a few strategies to maintain your information security:
- Cross-Reference Everything: Never rely on a single AI source for critical information (health, finance, legal, or business strategy). Verify outputs against trusted, independent sources.
- Be Sceptical of “Free”: If a service is free, you are likely the product. Be aware that free AI tools may monetize your data or your attention.
- Human Expertise Matters: For high-stakes security and business advice, rely on verified human experts who are accountable for their work.
- Data Integrity: Ensure your own organisation’s data is secure and accurate so that you aren’t feeding your internal systems with “poisoned” or biased datasets.
AI is a brilliant tool, but it is not infallible, nor is it immune to corruption. Whether it is a “Quick Compliance” sales pitch or a manipulated chatbot, the principle remains the same: if it looks too good to be true, or too convenient, dig deeper.
True security is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires constant vigilance against threats, whether they are hackers breaking in or algorithms misleading us.
If you are concerned about the integrity of your data or want to ensure your organisation is protected against the latest cyber threats, contact the expert team at Vertex. We prioritise genuine, high-quality protection over quick fixes and illusions.