When you see a video of a politician saying something they never said, or read a news story that feels off but looks real—that’s AI disinformation, the use of artificial intelligence to create and spread deceptive content at scale. Also known as AI-generated fake news, it’s not science fiction anymore. It’s happening right now, in your feed, in your inbox, on platforms you trust. Unlike old-school rumors, AI disinformation doesn’t need a person to write it. A tool can generate thousands of fake articles, videos, or social posts in minutes—each one tailored to push an emotion, spark outrage, or sway a vote.
It’s not just about fake videos. deepfakes, hyper-realistic AI-made videos that swap faces or mimic voices. Also known as synthetic media, they’re being used to impersonate CEOs, doctors, and even family members to trick people into sending money or sharing private data. Then there’s AI content manipulation, the process of altering real images, audio, or text to change their meaning. Also known as media tampering, it’s how a harmless photo of a protest gets edited to look violent—and then goes viral. These tools don’t just create lies. They make them feel real. And because they’re fast, cheap, and scalable, they’re being used by bad actors—foreign governments, scammers, political groups—to break trust in everything from news to elections to public health.
What makes this worse? Most people don’t know how to spot it. A fake tweet from a CEO? Looks like the real thing. A video of a celebrity saying something shocking? It’s got lighting, tone, and pauses that match their style. Even experts get fooled. That’s why understanding how AI disinformation works isn’t just for journalists or tech teams—it’s for anyone who uses the internet. The posts below show real examples of how it’s done, how it spreads, and how marketers and everyday users are learning to fight back. You’ll find breakdowns of tools used, tactics that work, and simple checks you can use right now to protect yourself and your audience.
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