Will AI Worsen Disinformation? Rethinking the Threat
In recent conversations about AI’s impact, a common concern emerges: that Artificial Intelligence will dramatically amplify the spread of disinformation, leading to an overwhelming influx of false or misleading content. Many worry that AI-generated “junk” content will flood social media platforms, making it harder for users to discern truth from fiction.
However, I believe this perspective warrants a closer look. While it’s true that AI can produce large volumes of content—much of it low-quality or misleading—this alone may not significantly increase the amount of disinformation to which we are already exposed.
Consider how we consume media daily. If I or you were asked to scroll through TikTok or any other short-form video platform, the typical number of videos we watch in a session remains roughly between 100 and 150. Introducing AI-generated content into this mix doesn’t inherently expand the total amount of content we see; it merely adds more pieces to an existing puzzle.
It’s important to recognize that human-generated disinformation is already pervasive—unimaginably so—and had been for years before AI’s rise. The volume of disinformation we encounter isn’t limited by production capacity alone but by our individual consumption habits and attention spans. Therefore, the addition of AI-produced content doesn’t drastically alter the overall exposure.
Our engagement patterns remain consistent. Whether it’s cat videos, viral fails, political debates, or other entertainment, the distribution of what captures our interest remains relatively stable. Personally, my viewing tendencies haven’t changed much in the past five years, and I suspect the same holds for many others. AI tools may create more sophisticated or manipulated content, but the format and nature of what we consume haven’t fundamentally shifted.
Sometimes, AI-facilitated disinformation is more insidious—not just outright lies but subtle manipulations. For instance, edited clips of public figures can be convincing and easily shared, often blur the line between truth and fiction without appearing overtly deceptive. These formats can be more effective in influencing perceptions than blatant falsehoods.
The most significant concern about AI-generated disinformation might be the proliferation of realistic clips of politicians or celebrities saying things they never said. Yet, given the current scale of false information we already navigate, I believe these new tools, while potentially more convincing, won’t substantially change the overall landscape.
What are your thoughts? Do you see AI as a catalyst for disinformation, or is it a manageable extension of existing issues?
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