Spotting Fake AI News: Can You Tell the Real Deal from the AI-generated Phony Stories?
Nearly half of those surveyed by Netskope thought a fabricated news story generated by AI was genuine.
Test your skills at identifying bogus AI-generated news articles in this interactive quiz!
š· Image Source: cdn.miximages.com
Youāre scrolling through your news feed and come across a headline that claims AI can accurately predict the weather two months in advance. Intrigued, you click on the article, but wait, is it true? š¤ Well, not necessarily.
Distinguishing fact from fiction on the internet has always been a challenge, but thanks to advances in AI, it has become even trickier. In a recent survey conducted by cybersecurity provider Netskope, it was revealed that many people struggle to distinguish between real news stories and those generated by AI. š±
The survey showed 1,000 people in the US and 500 in the UK a fake AI news story alongside a genuine one. Surprisingly, despite 84% of respondents in the UK claiming they were skilled at identifying fake stories, half of them still chose the AI-generated story as real. Similarly, in the US, 88% felt confident in their ability to spot a fake story, yet 44% fell for the AI-generated one. š¤¦āāļø
Curious about your own ability to spot a fake AI story? You can test your skills with Netskopeās Fake News Quiz. Guess whether each of the 12 stories presented is phony or legit and see how you fare. It might be a humbling experience! š
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According to the survey, people rely on social media for news and trust traditional news sources like newspapers and tabloids the most. However, video-based platforms like TikTok and Snapchat surprisingly came in second place. š°š
Netskope also analyzed the impact of fake news stories and photos in 2023 based on social views, engagement, and other factors. The top-ranking item was an image of Pope Francis sporting an oversized white puffer coat. Interestingly, this image, despite being fake, garnered more than 20 million views on social media and gained coverage from over 300 media publications. Similarly, an AI-generated image depicting Donald Trumpās arrest in Washington DC managed to amass over 10 million views and was covered by 671 news publications. šøš
These examples highlight how easily people can be deceived by deceptive images. Tools like Midjourney and DALL-E allow anyone to create images so realistic that they can fool the average person, as well as news publishers and professionals who would typically be more discerning. šØ
But itās not just images anymore ā AI is now capable of generating fake videos as well. In 2023, Netskope identified several phony videos, including one of Hillary Clinton endorsing Republican Ron DeSantis for President and another of Elon Musk singing the praises of cannabis edibles. š„š«
Once a fake news story or photo goes viral, it can take days for it to be debunked. On average, it took around six days for most items to be identified as false. However, an AI-edited video of Bill Gates abruptly ending an interview with an ABC News journalist over questions about his involvement in COVID-19 vaccine distribution took a whopping 15 days to be labeled as fake. Thatās fifteen days of confusion and misinformation! š±
To help people better detect real news from phony, Netskope offers the following tips and tricks:
For News Stories:
- Try and find the original source of the story. Check for unusual or outlandish claims and investigate the source using social media or reverse image search tools like Google Reverse Image Search, TinEye, or Yandex.
For Image-based Stories:
- Enlarge the image to check for errors and reveal inaccuracies or poor quality that may indicate AI involvement.
- Check the imageās proportions as AI-generated images often have errors with body parts and objectsā proportions.
- Scrutinize the background for skewed perspectives, repetitions, or lack of details.
- Look for imperfections as AI images tend to appear too flawless, with smooth skin, perfect hair, and teeth.
- Scan the details for inconsistencies across multiple images, such as differences in eye color or patterns.
For Video-based Stories:
- Check the videoās size as smaller and lower-resolution videos may indicate AI generation.
- Pay attention to subtitles that may be intentionally positioned to cover mismatched lip movements.
- Look for misaligned lip shapes as a sign of AI manipulation, especially if the spliced area is visible near the middle of the mouths.
With these tips in mind, youāll be better equipped to navigate the online world of AI-generated news and spot the fakes from the real deal! Remember, skepticism and critical thinking are your best allies in the battle against misinformation. š”ļøšŖ
Q&A: Your Burning Questions Answered!
Q: How can I stay informed without falling for AI-generated fake news? A: Itās essential to cross-verify the information you come across. Donāt solely rely on a single source, especially if itās shared on social media. Check the original source, fact-check with trusted news outlets, and use detection tools like reverse image searches to dig deeper.
Q: Can AI-generated news ever be indistinguishable from real news? A: AI is advancing rapidly, and its ability to generate realistic content is improving. While itās difficult to predict the future, itās always essential to stay vigilant and employ critical thinking when consuming news. The tips provided in the article can help you identify potential red flags.
Q: Are there any efforts to regulate AI-generated content? A: Yes, there are ongoing discussions and efforts to regulate AI-generated content, particularly in the context of deepfakes and manipulated media. Governments, tech companies, and organizations are exploring solutions to tackle the challenges posed by AI-generated fake news.
Q: How can AI-generated content impact society in the long run? A: AI-generated content has the potential to spread misinformation, distort reality, and erode trust in media. It can also be used maliciously for disinformation campaigns or to manipulate public opinion. Itās crucial for users, technology developers, and policymakers to work together to address these challenges and ensure the responsible use of AI.
Q: What can individuals do to stop the spread of AI-generated fake news? A: Everyone has a role to play in combating the spread of fake news. Be cautious when sharing information, fact-check before reposting or forwarding, and educate others about the risks of misinformation. By being responsible digital citizens, we can help reduce the impact of AI-generated fake news.
š Reference List:
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- Diss Pigeons: Natureās Algorithm Rivals AI
Did you find this article eye-opening? Share it with your friends and spread the word about the challenges of spotting AI-generated fake news. Letās arm ourselves with knowledge and critical thinking to navigate the digital landscape! š”š
š Interact with us in the comments below! Have you ever fallen for AI-generated fake news? How do you stay vigilant online? Weād love to hear your experiences and tips!
