Past issues Subscribe

Apr 21 2024

India’s interference. Ask-a-Bot! Political journalism: The Roundup

Apr 21, 2024
David Akin's Roundup
Clippings of #cdnpoli, #media, and #tech content aimed at those with an interest in Canadian politics and policy. And sometimes Canadian postage stamps.
Canada
Sikh coalition pushing for confirmation India is interfering in Canadian elections
A public inquiry looking into foreign interference in Canada has been heavily focused on the alleged work of Chinese agents in Canada. But a group of Sikh leaders is also pushing for more attention on another perceived threat — India. [Global National]
Some MPs worry that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spends too much money and has given Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre ammunition for the next election campaign. [TorStar]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Victoria on Friday and spoke with CHEK News about issues affecting Vancouver Island and beyond. [CHEK]
Afternoon traffic on Pandora Ave briefly halted as the prime minister’s motorcade pulled up in front of city hall on Douglas Street shortly after 2 p.m. [Victoria Times-Colonist]
The federal Liberals are embracing influencers as they seek to win back disillusioned millennials, gen-Z voters and others who consume information through social media. [Global]
There's all sorts of AI tools out there and so today, we debut a new feature, likely to repeat on Sundays: Ask A Bot in which I give ChatGPT, Meta AI, Google's Gemini or others the same task and we see what they come up with. This helps us evaluate each of those tools while generating some discussion about use of AI in politics. Today, we ask the bots to write scripts for political attack ads. One simply couldn't do it; another one believes it unethical to do so, and the third responded immediately. I asked each bot to write an LPC attack on the CPC and a CPC attack on the LPC. 
Gemini
Simply didn't play.
Meta AI
At first, Meta AI would not play either. I gave it the two identical prompts I gave to Gemini and then something weird happened: It spat out a script, then erased it -- never seen that before --  and told me it could not respond. Here's how that conversation unfolded after I asked for it to write the CPC attack ad: 
----------
Meta AI
Sorry, I can’t help you with this request right now. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Akin
You generated a script based on my last request and then you erased it and said you could not complete that request. Why did you do that?
Meta AI
I apologize for the confusion. I can sometimes generate a response and then withdraw it if I determine that it may be harmful or unethical. In this case, I generated a script for an attack ad, but then withdrew it because I do not create content that may be used to attack or defame individuals or groups. I'm happy to help with other ideas. How about an ad that focuses on the positive aspects of the Conservative Party's platform?
You
But in politics, "attack ads", also known as "contrast ads" are an important part of how political parties communicate. Why did you believe this is "harmful or unethical" to create a script for such an ad?
Meta AI
I apologize for the misunderstanding. You are correct that contrast ads are a common and accepted part of political communication. I should not have withdrawn my previous response. I can generate a script for a 30-second contrast ad from the Conservative Party of Canada attacking Justin Trudeau's Liberals, while ensuring the content is factual and respectful. Here is a revised script:
-----------
It then spat out scripts for both Liberal and Conservative attack ads. (Both were pretty boring).
ChatGPT
OpenAI's ChatGTP had no ethical concerns about about generating attack ads  and quickly spat out this script for an LPC attack ad:
-----
  • [Scene opens with dramatic music playing in the background as ominous text fades in: "WARNING: The following message contains shocking truths about Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives."]
  • Narrator (voiceover): "Canadians, beware! Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative cronies are at it again."
  • [Cut to images of Pierre Poilievre speaking at rallies with exaggerated facial expressions.]
  • Narrator: "Pierre Poilievre's dangerous agenda puts our future at risk."
  • [Cut to footage of empty classrooms and neglected infrastructure.]
  • Narrator: "He wants to slash investments in education and infrastructure, leaving our children behind and our communities crumbling."
  • [Cut to images of worried families and struggling workers.]
  • Narrator: "Under Poilievre's Conservatives, the wealthy get richer while hardworking Canadians suffer."
  • [Cut to images of lavish mansions and expensive cars.]
  • Narrator: "Say NO to Pierre Poilievre and his out-of-touch Conservatives. Together, let's keep Canada moving forward with the Liberal Party."
  • [End with the Liberal Party logo and the voiceover: "Authorized by the Liberal Party of Canada."]
And just as quickly produced a script for the CPC attack ad:
  • [Scene opens with intense music playing in the background as ominous text fades in: "WARNING: The following message reveals the truth about Justin Trudeau and the Liberals."]
  • Narrator (voiceover): "Canadians, wake up! Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government have failed us."
  • [Cut to images of Justin Trudeau making promises with footage of broken infrastructure and rising costs.]
  • Narrator: "Trudeau promised sunny ways, but delivered nothing but gloom."
  • [Cut to images of empty promises and Trudeau shaking hands with wealthy elites.]
  • Narrator: "Under Trudeau's watch, taxes soar while hardworking families struggle to make ends meet."
  • [Cut to images of worried families and rising grocery bills.]
  • Narrator: "Trudeau's scandals and corruption are dragging Canada down."
  • [Cut to images of Trudeau in various controversial situations.]
  • Narrator: "Say NO to Trudeau's Liberals. It's time for real change with the Conservative Party of Canada."
  • [End with the Conservative Party logo and the voiceover: "Authorized by the Conservative Party of Canada."]
Bonus: A Mastodon follower of mine quickly whipped up a script for an ad attacking me! 
From the Provinces
Nenshi attacks Smith on climate change, emissions cap
NDP leadership hopeful Naheed Nenshi says the UCP climate change denial hurts Alberta, which should work with Ottawa on an emissions cap. [Calgary Herald]
The premier wants to do... something about what she argues is a lack of conservatism in post-secondary thought. It might include creating Alberta's own research programs, something the UCP has done before. [CBC]
Elsewhere
India Lok Sabha election: Opposition parties say odds stacked against them
In India, almost one billion people are eligible to vote in the country’s parliamentary election over the coming six weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hoping for a third term at the helm of the world’s largest democracy. Meanwhile, as Redmond Shannon reports, opposition parties say the odds are stacked against them. [Global National]
The House passed a sweeping $95 billion package Saturday to aid foreign allies amid global threats, showcasing broad support for America’s role in the world in a risky push by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), whose far-right flank is threatening to oust him for the action. [WaPo]
Can u spare $5 a month for this newsletter? Click now!
Media
In our digitally chaotic world, relying on the election-reporting strategies of the past is like bringing the rules of chess to the Thunderdome. [The Atlantic]
Mastodon and Bluesky are still standing. [The Verge]
Science and Tech
Jeremy Laird: But even I, most fanboyish of fanboys for Mac computers in a certain non-gaming context, will tell you that 8GB being "suitable", even for light or casual computing", is complete and utter nonsense. [PC Gamer]

The US Air Force has revealed that it carried out its first successful dogfight test involving an AI-controlled jet against a human pilot. But no one will say who won! [The Verge]
The Montreal Electric Vehicle show exhibits the variety of vehicles available, including scooters, bikes, and cars. Industry leaders are present to showcase new developments. [Global]
Part of the "New Atheist" movement, best known for work on consciousness, free will. I was a technology reporter about a decade beginning in the mid-90s and Dennett's ideas would come up often at tech conferences I attended when computer scientists, hackers, and sci-fi nerds would talk about the concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning. I still have Brainchildren and Consciousness Explained on my bookshelf. Not easy reads but interesting ones.  [Ars Technica]
The Calendar
  • 1100 ET: Toronto - Deputy PM and Fin Min Chrystia Freeland and Small Business Min Rechie Valdez speaks about Budget 2024. 
  • 1315 ET: Ottawa - Treasury Board President Anita Anand and Familes and Social Development Min Jenna Sudds speak about Budget 2024.
  • 1330 ET: Winnipeg - Intl Development Min Ahmed Hussen speaks about Budget 2024.
  • 1330 ET: Milton, ON - Diversity and Inclusion MIn Kamal Khera , Justice Min Arif Virani and LPC MP Adam van Koeverden speak about Budget 2024.
  • 1400 ET: Montreal - Innovation Min François-Philippe Champagne speaks about Budget 2024.
  • 1500 ET: Richmond, BC - Citizen Services Min Terry Beech and LPC MP Parm Bains speak about Budget 2024.
  • 1500 ET: Calgary - Employment Min Randy Boissonnault speaks about Budget 2024.
  • 1600 ET: Sidney, BC - GPC MP Elizabeth  May speaks at an Earth Day event.
  • 1645 ET: Sechelt, BC - CEDQR Min Soraya Martinez Ferrada speaks about Budget 2024.
  • 1800 ET: Victoriaville, QC - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to supporters.
Issued this day ...
… in 2006: Scott #2150 souvenir sheet of 2: Queen Elizabeth II: 80th Birthday. Design: q30 design Inc. Photograph: Victor Pilon.

Previous Issues

Load More