I am confident that AI will not increase the proliferation of disinformation.

Understanding the Impact of AI on Disinformation: A Balanced Perspective

As artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly, many are raising concerns about its potential to exacerbate the spread of misinformation online. A common fear is that AI-generated content will flood social media platforms, making it even more challenging to discern truth from falsehood. However, upon closer examination, the relationship between AI and disinformation may not be as straightforward as it appears.

The Landscape of Content Consumption

Imagine spending time browsing through your favorite social media app—be it TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter. Most users typically consume a limited amount of content daily, often around 100 to 150 short videos or posts. Whether these are created by humans or generated by AI, the volume of content remains roughly the same. Introducing AI-generated variations or fabricated clips doesn’t necessarily increase the total amount of material we ingest; it simply alters its origin.

The Scale of Human-Generated Disinformation

It’s crucial to recognize that humans have been producing disinformation at an unprecedented scale for years. We’ve already been exposed to countless false narratives, manipulative content, and doctored images—so much so that adding another petabyte of AI-crafted misinformation may not significantly shift what we encounter daily. Our media consumption habits tend to focus on what entertains or interests us, not on the entire spectrum of available content. Therefore, the proportional exposure to disinformation remains relatively stable over time.

Format and Perception of Disinformation

It’s not just about outright falsehoods; often, disinformation is embedded within content formats that make it less obvious. For example, edited clips of public figures or sensationalized videos might be subtle enough to slip past viewers’ awareness. This type of content resembles authentic material but contains manipulated elements—like a misleading quote or an edited video—crafting the illusion of credibility without obvious deception.

The Future of AI-Generated Misinformation

One plausible concern is the creation of convincing doctored videos featuring celebrities, politicians, or other influential figures saying things they never actually said. While this could potentially influence public perception, the scale of existing media consumption and the speed at which people encounter information may dilute the impact of such fabricated content. In many cases, viewers may recognize or dismiss these deepfakes, especially as awareness grows.

Conclusion

While AI undeniably introduces new tools for generating content, its effect on the overall volume and impact of disinformation might be less dramatic than anticipated. The human tendency to focus on engaging material, combined with the sheer existing