With the advancement of generative artificial intelligence comes another level of trying to decipher between what is real and what is falsely generated.
In recent years, deciding what news outlets to depend on for unbiased coverage of events has been challenging. Now AI is making it more difficult.
Information is being disseminated to everyone, including children, at a rapid pace. When scrolling social media, there are photos and videos that appear to be legitimate news. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to determine what is fake and what is authentic, especially as AI tools become more sophisticated and widely available to the public.
Dr. Matthew Stamm, a professor at Drexel University who works in multimedia forensics, said it is difficult for the average person to determine if an image or video is real or fake.
“The process that a camera uses to create an image is very different than the process that generative AI uses to create an image,” said Stamm.
Unlike traditional photography, which captures light through a lens, generative AI builds images from patterns in data, often leaving behind subtle inconsistencies that are difficult for untrained viewers to detect. As these technologies improve, those inconsistencies are becoming less noticeable.
He and his team are working to develop software that can authenticate these forms of media. These tools aim to detect digital fingerprints, inconsistencies in pixels or other markers that indicate whether content has been altered or artificially created.
The use of AI-generated images and videos has contributed to a growing erosion of public trust in media. With an increase in manipulated or entirely fabricated content circulating online, consumers are finding it harder to distinguish credible reporting from misinformation. In some cases, this uncertainty leads people to distrust all sources altogether.
According to Stamm, anything that evokes a strong emotional reaction should be investigated further. This type of content is often designed to provoke anger, fear or confirmation of existing beliefs, making it more likely to be shared without verification.
It is easy to create a social media post, a video or even an image, but it is difficult to create an entire event that is fake. Verifying information through multiple reputable sources remains one of the most effective ways to determine accuracy. Major events, such as natural disasters or breaking news situations, will typically be reported by several established outlets, providing opportunities for cross-checking details.
Oftentimes, misleading videos or images will appear during times of crisis, disaster or major events, adding confusion during already stressful situations. In these moments, false information can spread quickly, amplifying panic and misunderstanding.
Experts recommend slowing down before sharing content, checking the original source and looking for confirmation from trusted news organizations. Reverse image searches and fact-checking websites can also help identify manipulated media.
With these new developments in AI and its continued improvements, these situations will become more prevalent. As technology evolves, so must the public’s ability to critically evaluate the information they consume.
Educating and training individuals to research and verify content is key. Schools, families and communities all play a role in building media literacy skills that help people navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.
Unfortunately, seeing is believing is not the case now.
Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
