
07/16/2025
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE PROBLEM OF NOT KNOWING WHAT IS REAL.
It's not an exaggeration to say that artificial intelligence (AI) has become a dominant force in modern culture. What started out as simple things, like speech-to-text software, has become a mind-boggling technology that can not only analyze data but also solve problems and produce images and videos that are almost indistinguishable from actual recordings.
And there is the rub. We've all seen them - those cute videos of animals doing heartwarming things. (I love the one where the elephant plays with the baby giraffe and sprays it with its trunk. Facebook.)
Despite their charm, virtual productions have the potential to create a serious dilemma. They make it difficult to distinguish what is real from what is not.
Deep Fakes and Not Knowing What is Real
While it may not matter that an elephant does not really play with a giraffe, a video showing a person doing something that they did not do could have serious consequences.
In addition, AI-generated images and recordings exacerbate the already serious problem of misinformation which pervades the internet and social media.
This technology complicates the difficult task of accurate news reporting. Beyond journalism, however, fraudulent AI creations create false impressions in public perception or beliefs. For example, consider the many false beliefs that arose during COVID-19.
It is a characteristic of human nature to seek thrills. Thus, many people are susceptible to sensational misinformation and seek it out. Likewise, the news media understand this appetite and, in order to satisfy their viewers, often run stories that are unlikely to be true.
It's essential to recognize that the media's content influences us. Misrepresentations or unsubstantiated stories often receive more attention than they deserve. Due to their presence in the media, they appear to be real. In doing so, they create a problem of public perception. By exploiting their audience, the media stokes skepticism and further mistrust of the media.
Besides the media, politicians play on and use misinformation to promote fears and win elections. (Consider the exaggerated claims of the threats undocumented immigrants posed.)
Apart from politics, the exaggerated threats that AI-aided misinformation creates can exacerbate anxiety and depressive conditions. Apart from those with diagnoses, outrageous stories stoke paranoia and irrational fears in ordinary people who don't normally suffer from anxiety and depression. Online Misinformation | Pastoral Counseling Syracuse NY
Recent Example of Deep Fakes
Incredibly, A.I. has taken online misinformation to a whole new level, to the point where discerning what is accurate and legitimate from what is fraudulent is extremely difficult. Photographic and video deep-fakes, as they're called, can make real people say or do anything.
Recently, a video of NBC weatherman Al Roker deep-faked him, pitching a worthless anti-hypertension device. Deepfake video of Al Roker selling blood pressure device emerges
Additionally, an AI-generated audio of Senator Marco Rubio was sent out fraudulently, posing as him.
Even worse is when an AI "thinks" on its own. Recently, X's chatbot, Grok, spewed an anti-semitic slur. AI chatbot Grok issues apology for antisemitic posts – NBC Los Angeles
It's no secret that media outlets sensationalize the news to attract viewers. In doing so, many of its stories are exaggerated, which then creates fear and panic. Fear and panic take away a person's ability to rationally assess and determine the validity of the images they see.
Despite the challenges, we must not give up or give in to the lies. Here are some tips to help you sort the grain from the chaff:
Tips for Spotting Fake Stories and Reports
The key to dealing with AI in the media is to first calm the emotions that it stirs. Fears allayed, we can reestablish a rational perspective and think logically.
When calm and thinking reasonably, these common-sense tips will help you to spot fake posts and determine the authenticity of what you read, see, or hear.
1) Be Selective and Limit Your Exposure to Media.
Pay attention to where you get the news and only rely on trusted sources. Regardless of the source, given the 24/7 availability of information on the internet, it is advisable to limit the amount of time you spend listening to or watching media news or commentary. Especially in the wake of major news stories or tragedies, excessive exposure can overwhelm your emotions and distort your judgment.
2) Be Skeptical of Unusual Information and Check Out the Source of the Story.
When unusual stories emerge, it's essential to be skeptical and examine the source of the report or image. Given the level of political, cultural, and religious polarization, it's crucial to understand the perspective of the source. Skepticism and verifying the sources of stories is crucial when they originate from internet blogs or podcasts.
3) Does the Story Fit with Other Reports or is it an Outlier ?
When you come across sensational or odd stories, notice if other news sources report them.
4) When a Story Goes Against Accepted Wisdom, Be Open to New Information but Take Your Time Before Deciding About Its Truthfulness.
Every once in a while, new historical or scientific findings challenge established beliefs. That said, establishing the research and data as reliable and true takes time and repeated verification.
5) Examine Your Own Reactions for Bias.
One final point. Sometimes our own bias predisposes us to believe false stories. Sometimes we see what we want to see and believe what we want to believe.
Reflecting on your history with the topic is especially helpful when it provokes a strong emotional reaction within yourself. For example, if you have not liked a movie star or politician, you may be inclined to believe negative stories or disbelieve positive ones.
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When all is said and done, we must acknowledge and remember how technology has changed what we know. The information superhighway enables us to travel to places like never before, but it can also lead us down numerous dead ends.
Rev. Michael Heath, LMHC, Fellow A.A.P.C. 7 16 2025
www.revmichaelheath.com