I believe that artificial intelligence will not contribute to the spread of misinformation.

Understanding the Impact of AI on Disinformation: A Balanced Perspective

In recent discussions, a common concern has emerged: that artificial intelligence will significantly amplify the spread of false information. Critics argue that AI’s capacity to generate vast quantities of low-quality or misleading content could worsen the current disinformation landscape.

However, upon closer examination, this perspective warrants reconsideration. Let’s explore this in detail.

The Nature of Content Consumption

Consider the typical experience of scrolling through social media platforms like TikTok. Most users, myself included, tend to view a limited number of videos—roughly 100 to 150 in a single session. Whether these videos are generated by humans or AI, the volume of content we consume remains relatively stable. Injecting AI-created videos into our feeds doesn’t necessarily increase the total number of videos we see or the proportion of disinformation.

The Existing Content Landscape

It’s important to recognize that humans have been producing enormous amounts of disinformation long before AI’s emergence. These efforts have already saturated the information environment to a degree that surpasses individual comprehension. Therefore, an increase of AI-generated false content—potentially adding another petabyte to the digital universe—may not substantially deepen the impact on any given user’s perception or behavior.

What We Engage With

Our media consumption is largely shaped by personal preferences and algorithms that cater to our interests. Even with an influx of AI-generated content, the breakdown of what captures our attention—such as cat videos, humorous clips, emotional political debates, or miscellaneous entertainment—remains fairly consistent over time. The proportion of disinformation within this mix is unlikely to experience dramatic change.

Subtle Forms of Disinformation

It’s worth acknowledging that AI can subtly facilitate disinformation, often through edited clips or misleadingly presented snippets. For example, a heavily edited video of a politician making a controversial statement can be more convincing—and more insidious—than straightforward lies. Yet, given the already vast scale of media consumption and the tendency for audiences to focus on entertainment rather than scrutinize every detail, such tactics may not significantly alter the overall landscape.

The Role of AI-Generated Political Content

One might worry about doctored footage of public figures saying things they never did. While this is a legitimate concern, in the context of the current information environment, the impact might still be limited. The sheer volume of existing misinformation and the way people process media suggest that AI-driven alterations will not drastically shift the overall flow of disinformation.

Final Thoughts

While AI undeniably introduces new tools