Alex Popken, a former trust and safety executive at Twitter, has transitioned to a new role as vice president of trust and safety at WebPurify, a content moderation service provider. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Popken discussed the evolution of content moderation over the past decade. She highlighted key milestones during her time at Twitter, such as the discovery of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which emphasized the importance of investing in content moderation to prevent bad actors from undermining democracy.

Popken emphasized the necessity of combining human moderation with artificial intelligence (AI) to effectively moderate content. While AI can detect certain keywords or phrases, it struggles to understand context and nuance, requiring human moderators to provide that essential layer of judgment. Popken acknowledged the advancements in generative AI, which can better grasp context and nuance, but noted that human moderation will remain crucial for the foreseeable future.

WebPurify works with a variety of non-social media companies, ranging from retailers to dating apps, to ensure that user-generated content follows the rules and guidelines set by the platform. Popken explained that content moderation is an ever-evolving landscape, influenced by global events, new technologies, and evolving risks posed by bad actors. She highlighted the challenge of moderating misinformation, noting that platforms must focus on preventing the most real-world harm.

Regarding generative AI, Popken expressed concerns about AI-generated misinformation, particularly during important election seasons. She noted the rise of deepfakes and manipulated media online, emphasizing the need for proper regulation and guardrails to prevent misuse. Despite the potential risks, Popken sees AI as a valuable tool for content moderation, especially for threat intelligence, if used responsibly.