Artificial Intelligence: The Growing Threat of Fake News in 2024
In a crucial election year for numerous countries, including the United States and Mexico, the world faces a major concern: the rampant spread of fake news facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI). AI platforms like ChatGPT and Bard, along with media giants such as X (previously known as Twitter) owner Elon Musk, are making it increasingly easy for anyone to disseminate fake news.
According to NewsGuard, an organization that tracks fake news sites, AI will become a super-spreader of fake news. In December, they identified 603 AI-enabled news sites operating with minimal human supervision, a significant increase from the 49 sites discovered in May of the previous year. These fake news sites often adopt names similar to established news organizations, like iBusiness Day or Daily Time Update.
Previously, low-quality fake news sites relied on paid contributors, but with the emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT, they can now utilize chatbots to produce content faster and cheaper than ever before. While some AI-generated news sites originate from countries like Russia, China, and Iran, or are created by politicians aiming to tarnish their opponents, others simply prioritize profit. These profit-driven sites thrive on scandalous fake news, as more clicks result in greater revenue from advertisers or social media platforms.
The proliferation of fake audio and video content further exacerbates the challenge of differentiating reality from fantasy. To exacerbate matters, Elon Musk has reduced content verification employees in X, leading to a higher presence of fake news on the platform. NewsGuard’s research revealed that 74% of X’s top viral fake news about the Israel-Hamas conflict in October came from verified blue-check accounts, which are now available to anyone for a monthly fee of $8. Previously, Twitter only provided blue check verification marks to credible news sources.
A recent Washington Post poll highlighted how fake news can influence public opinion, revealing that 25% of Americans believe that the FBI instigated the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, despite the absence of any evidence. McKenzie Sadeghi, NewsGuard’s artificial intelligence tracking manager, suggests one way to identify AI-generated fake news is to check for author bylines and verify their existence through search engines or social media.
Edward Wasserman, a journalism ethics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and former Miami Herald business editor, advises readers to conduct background checks on unfamiliar news sites. He emphasizes the importance of cross-referencing information with established news organizations known for employing professional journalists.
While populist demagogues around the world, from Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to America’s Donald Trump, have tried to undermine mainstream media to further their own agendas, traditional news outlets typically prioritize fact-checking before publishing. Similar to how supermarkets ensure their products are of high quality to retain customers, reputable media organizations staffed with professional journalists won’t willingly distribute fake news as it would jeopardize their credibility and audience trust.
As we enter 2024, it is crucial for people to rely on news sources, like supermarkets, that prioritize content quality. Failure to do so, combined with the expected surge in AI-generated fake news, will further endanger global stability.
