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Looking back at how quickly social media grew, it's clear that regulators didn't act early enough. What started as a fun way to connect..

Can we avoid repeating the mistakes of social media regulation and proactively shape the future of AI?

What Did We Learn from the Rise of Social Media?

Looking back at how quickly social media grew, it’s clear that regulators didn’t act early enough. What started as a fun way to connect with friends turned into something much bigger, affecting politics, public health, and even how people think. By the time governments started making rules, social media companies had already become hugely powerful. The result was patchy rules, public anger, and a lot of pressure on companies to fix problems that had already caused harm.

Social media’s explosive growth created opportunities that were initially seen as overwhelmingly positive. Suddenly, people could share ideas across borders, businesses could reach global audiences, and information could spread at unprecedented speeds. Yet, alongside these benefits came hidden dangers. Platforms designed to connect people became battlegrounds for misinformation, echo chambers, and targeted political manipulation. Regulators, unsure of how to react, often hesitated for fear of stifling innovation.

This hesitation proved costly. By the time governments and watchdogs stepped in, the scale of social media’s influence had already grown beyond easy control. Scandals such as Cambridge Analytica exposed how personal data could be harvested and exploited for political gain. This caused widespread public distrust, with many users feeling betrayed by platforms they once saw as harmless.

Now, with AI spreading into almost every part of life, we have a rare chance to act early. We can create thoughtful rules before serious problems emerge. The big question is: will we learn from how we handled social media, or will we wait until it’s too late again?

 

The Problem with Waiting Too Long

When social media took off in the late 2000s, regulators stood by, not sure what to do. They didn’t want to stop something that seemed exciting and useful. But as platforms grew, so did issues like online abuse, privacy breaches, and the spread of false information. Social media’s power to shape public opinion became evident, but without proper oversight, harmful content flourished unchecked.

By the time scandals like Cambridge Analytica came to light, people were already losing trust in these platforms. Governments then rushed to introduce rules like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. While GDPR was important, it came too late to stop the damage. This is the problem with reactive regulation—it deals with issues only after they’ve caused harm.

The same happened in the UK with the upcoming Online Safety Act. While it aims to protect people from harmful content, many believe it’s a response to years of unchecked problems rather than a well-planned solution. In a way, reactive regulation often resembles firefighting—it addresses immediate dangers but rarely considers long-term solutions.


Why We Need to Act Early with AI

AI is already changing industries such as healthcare, finance, and education. We know the risks—bias in AI models, job displacement, and misuse of data—because we’ve seen what happens when new technologies grow without proper rules. The difference now is that we can predict many of these risks before they become widespread problems.

Acting early doesn’t mean slowing down innovation. Instead, it means setting clear boundaries so businesses know what’s allowed. For example, governments could require companies to explain how their AI makes decisions. This would help people trust AI systems more and prevent the kinds of problems we saw with social media.

Transparency is key here. When AI systems are used to make decisions—whether it’s approving a loan, diagnosing a medical condition, or recommending a sentence in a courtroom—people have the right to understand how those decisions were made. Without transparency, there’s a risk of hidden biases influencing outcomes in ways that harm certain groups.

Imagine if we had thought ahead when social media first appeared. Perhaps we wouldn’t have faced issues like fake news spreading so easily or people’s personal data being misused. With AI, we have the chance to get things right from the start.


Building Smarter Regulations for AI

One way to be proactive is by creating ethical guidelines for AI. These guidelines would ensure that AI systems are fair and transparent. Another idea is for governments to work closely with tech companies and universities to create flexible policies. This kind of cooperation would mean rules could adapt as AI technology develops.

Some countries are already trying to get ahead. The European Union’s AI Act is one example. It plans to classify AI systems by risk level and apply stricter rules to higher-risk systems, such as those used in healthcare or law enforcement. Similarly, the UK has proposed a “pro-innovation” approach, aiming to encourage AI growth while keeping risks in check.

China has also drafted regulations requiring clear labeling of AI-generated content. This aims to prevent people from being tricked by deepfakes or other forms of fake media. These proactive steps show that some governments are learning from the mistakes made during social media’s rise.

Acting early also means ongoing monitoring. Technology changes fast, so regulations need to keep up. This requires governments to invest in skilled teams who understand AI and can update rules as needed. Continuous dialogue between regulators and industry leaders can help ensure that regulations remain relevant and effective.

Another important factor is public education. Just as users eventually became more aware of how social media platforms use their data, people need to understand how AI works and what risks it might pose. Educating the public about AI’s benefits and dangers can help create a society that’s better prepared to handle technological change.


A Chance to Do Better

We don’t have to repeat the mistakes we made with social media. If we create smart, proactive rules for AI now, we can prevent many problems before they start. This will protect people, build trust in AI, and encourage responsible innovation.

The rise of AI presents both a challenge and an opportunity. If we learn from our past mistakes, we can shape a future where technology works for everyone. But it means acting now—before we find ourselves trying to fix another crisis after it’s too late.

There’s a lot at stake. AI has the potential to improve lives, create new industries, and solve complex problems. But without thoughtful regulation, it could also deepen inequalities, invade privacy, and make harmful decisions without human oversight. By being proactive, we can guide AI development in a way that maximises its benefits while minimising its risks.

It’s up to policymakers, industry leaders, and society as a whole to decide what kind of future we want. We’ve seen what happens when technology grows unchecked—we can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.

 

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