I don’t think AI is going to make disinformation worse.

The Impact of AI on Disinformation: A Closer Look

In recent discussions, a common concern has emerged: Will Artificial Intelligence exacerbate the spread of disinformation? Many worry that as AI technology becomes more accessible and capable of generating vast amounts of content, the volume of misleading information will skyrocket, muddying the digital landscape.

Understanding the Landscape

Indeed, AI can produce a significant volume of content—much of it low-quality or outright false. When we examine social media as a whole, the prevalence of AI-generated material is undeniable. It’s easy to assume that this influx will inevitably lead to a surge in disinformation, making it harder for users to discern truth from fiction.

Challenging the Assumption

However, I believe this perspective warrants a nuanced view. Consider the typical user engaging with platforms like TikTok or Instagram. Most people consume a limited number of short videos per session—roughly 100 to 150 pieces of content. Whether these videos are crafted by humans or AI doesn’t significantly alter their consumption pattern; the volume remains relatively constant.

Furthermore, the sheer scale of human-produced disinformation over the years is already staggering. Our social media feeds have been flooded with false narratives, conspiracy theories, and manipulated visuals at an unprecedented scale. Introducing an additional petabyte of AI-generated disinformation doesn’t necessarily increase the total exposure in a meaningful way—because our consumption habits, and the algorithms shaping what we see, remain largely the same.

Algorithmic Filtering and Cognitive Limits

Our brains are wired to gravitate toward certain types of content: humorous cat videos, viral fails, emotional political debates, and other familiar formats. These preferences act as filters, meaning that even with an influx of AI-created falsehoods, the proportion of disinformation we encounter may not drastically rise.

The subtlety of Disinformation

AI-generated media often employs more insidious tactics than blatant lies. For example, a manipulated clip with a celebrity or politician can be embedded within seemingly benign content—think edited video snippets or provocative soundbites. These formats can subtly influence perceptions without appearing overtly false, making disinformation more persuasive and harder to detect.

The Real-World Impact

Some argue that advanced AI could produce doctored videos of public figures saying things they never did, further complicating our information ecosystem. Yet, against the massive tide of existing disinformation and how we typically consume media, the incremental difference may be minimal.

Conclusion

While AI undoubtedly introduces new challenges in verifying content authenticity

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