I am convinced that AI will not contribute to the increase of disinformation proliferation.

Understanding the Impact of AI on Disinformation: A Balanced Perspective

In recent discussions, a common concern has emerged: Will artificial intelligence exacerbate the spread of misinformation and disinformation at scale? Many worry that as AI becomes more capable of generating content, the volume of false or misleading information will skyrocket, overwhelming our social media feeds and online spaces.

However, upon closer examination, I believe this fear may be somewhat overstated. Let’s explore why.

AI and Content Generation: Are We Getting More Disinformation?

It’s true that AI can produce vast amounts of “junk” content—think of the endless stream of short videos, memes, and posts we encounter daily on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. With AI-generated material becoming increasingly prevalent, it’s tempting to assume that disinformation will also surge to new heights.

But the critical question is: does this increase in volume necessarily translate into more disinformation you or I will encounter? Not necessarily.

Human Consumption Patterns Remain Steady

Consider your typical social media browsing habits. If I asked you to spend a set amount of time scrolling through TikTok, I suspect both of us would reach a similar limit—say 100-150 short-form videos—regardless of whether some are AI-generated or not. The same logic applies when AI adds more content: it doesn’t inherently expand the amount of disinformation you consume; it simply floods the existing ecosystem.

Humans are naturally selective. We tend to watch what interests us or captures our attention, and there’s a finite amount of content we will consume in a given timeframe. Even with a proliferation of AI-created content, our engagement patterns—and the proportion of disinformation—remain relatively stable.

The Nature of Disinformation and Its Formats

Not all disinformation is blatant falsehoods. Sometimes, it’s embedded subtly within formats that seem innocuous—such as edited clips or misleading memes. For instance, a heavily edited video or a viral clip with a snappy quote can distort facts without appearing overtly false. These formats are often more persuasive and harder to detect than straightforward lies or fake news articles.

AI can facilitate the creation of such doctored content—for example, manipulated videos of politicians or celebrities saying things they never actually said. While this is concerning, the scale and consumption habits we’ve developed over years suggest that these distortions will integrate into the broader content landscape rather than fundamentally alter the amount of disinformation we receive.

The Bigger Picture

Ultimately, the