Gen Z consumes information primarily through short-form social media content, where AI algorithms personalize feeds. This makes it easier for misleading content to appear trustworthy.

Older adults may not always recognize AI-generated manipulation, making them especially vulnerable to scams, fake announcements, and misinformation campaigns. 

The video “How to Spot AI and Misinformation Online” explains how artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made false information easier to create and spread, especially on social media platforms. It highlights how AI tools can generate convincing fake content — such as realistic images, videos, and text — that can mislead people if they are not careful. The video also teaches viewers practical ways to identify misleading or manipulated content before believing it or sharing it online. 

In today’s interconnected and information-dense world, it can be challenging to weed through the fluff and phony to get down to the facts. By arming ourselves with open minds, critical and discerning ears, and analytical media consumption skills, we can start to separate fact from fiction. To do this, we will explore the notion of “fake news,” biases, agendas, and framing to better understand the modern information environment. Kaylee Laakso looks bring renewed attention to the age-old idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover” in the context of modern news media.