Misinformation Challenged: Experts Address Vaccine Concerns & The Rise of AI Actors
Rochester, NY – Amidst ongoing public debate and circulating misinformation, medical professionals today clarified key facts surrounding vaccine safety and efficacy. The discussion comes following recent, inaccurate claims made by public figures – including former President Trump‘s assertion that children receive 80 vaccines wiht doses “strong enough for a horse,” and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s implication that COVID vaccines pose a greater risk than the virus itself.
The conversation, hosted on WXXI’s “Connections with Evan Dawson,” aimed to provide evidence-based information to address growing anxieties. Experts emphasized the rigorous testing and monitoring processes in place for all vaccines, and debunked common myths surrounding their potential side effects. This is particularly crucial as public trust in medical institutions remains fragile and misinformation continues to spread rapidly online,impacting vaccination rates and public health.
Featured guests included Ann Falsey, M.D., an infectious disease specialist with UR Medicine; Steven Schulz, M.D., a pediatrician with Rochester Regional Health; and Geoff Weinberg, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist with UR Medicine. They addressed questions regarding vaccine schedules, ingredients, and the science behind their growth.
The program also turned to a separate, emerging issue: the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the performing arts. The discussion centered on Tilly Norwood, an AI “actor” created by a Dutch AI lab who has garnered attention from talent agencies, sparking debate about the future of the industry and the livelihoods of human performers. Guests Nicole Cyrille,Reuben J. tapp, sr., J. Simmons, and Robert Thompson explored the ethical and practical implications of AI in acting, questioning the demand for AI avatars and the potential displacement of human talent.
“Connections with Evan dawson” is livestreamed daily on the WXXI News YouTube channel and is available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/@WXXINews.
