Investigating the Use of Generative AI in French-Language Public Communication: Identifying the Adoption by Politicians, Influencers, Journalists, and Researchers

Project Description:

ChatGPT and other generative AI tools have become one of the fastest-spreading technologies since the advent of the internet. However, their usage remains largely invisible to the public, making it difficult to assess how influential figures rely on these tools for content creation. This project, inspired by the research interests of Le Temps, aims to explore and verify the extent to which generative AI is being used by key public communicators in the French-speaking world, such as politicians, influencers, journalists, and researchers.

The primary objective of this project is to identify who among these groups utilizes AI-generated text in their communications with the public. By analyzing social media posts, publications, speeches, and other forms of public communication, we aim to uncover patterns of usage, motivations behind adopting AI tools.

Key Research Questions:

  1. Which French-speaking politicians, influencers, journalists, and researchers are using generative AI to create public content?
  2. How is AI-generated text integrated into their communication strategies?
  3. How are new words, phrases, or expressions introduced by AI models affecting the public discourse, and what linguistic shifts can be observed in the content generated by AI?

Methodology: The project will involve:

  • Analyzing digital traces in public communications to detect AI usage, leveraging available software that can identify AI-generated content.
  • Investigating the introduction of new words, phrases, or linguistic structures that may originate from generative AI models, using textual analysis tools to track how these elements spread through public communication.

Expected Outcomes:

  • A detailed report on the prevalence and scope of generative AI usage among French-speaking public figures.
  • A linguistic analysis showing the influence of AI on the evolution of language, highlighting newly introduced terms and phrases, and their adoption in public communication.

 

Contact: [email protected]