I got caught in the terrifying crosshairs of Facebook’s war on AI this week.
Trying to contact author Robert Shearman for a non-fiction thing, I “friended” him on Facebook last Friday.
I also posted a link to my “Stupid Paranoia” YouTube video, which mentioned naked plumbers.
One of those things – or the combination of both – made Facebook suspend my account in case I was a rogue AI.
To prove otherwise, I had to upload a video of my face.
When I tried, my webcam wouldn’t work, showing a webcam icon with a red X where my beautiful bonce should have been.
“Very good,” said Facebook. “Now look left.”
I did so, wondering if Mark Zuckerberg himself had just materialised to help me.
He hadn’t.
“Look up.”
I did, snatching a glance at the screen, which still just showed the X-ed out camera.
No sign of my face.
“Look right.”
In for a penny… I looked right.
“We’ll get back to you,” said Facebook. “But if you’re not real, we’ll delete your account.”
“But…“ I wanted to explain about the webcam.
They contacted me on Tuesday, and I am real, because I’m allowed back on the platform!
Which suggests either:
I don’t actually have a face (and Facebook doesn’t care), or
my webcam can see me even when the computer thinks it’s off…
But at least I’m not an AI.
Which means my books weren’t written by AI.
To celebrate, get 50% – or even 100% – off loads of them at Smashwords’ massive End of Year Sale right here!
Chat soon,
Morgan
Read more — and get two free ebooks — here: morgandelaney.info/newsletter.
