Misinformation
From printing presses to Facebook feeds: What yesterday’s witch hunts have in common with today’s misinformation crisis
From printing presses to Facebook feeds: What yesterday’s witch hunts have in common with today’s misinformation crisis Historical witch hunts in Europe (1400-1780) share parallels with today’s misinformation crisis, including the spread of false information through media and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The printing press and publications like “Malleus Maleficarum” played a significant role […]
📰 News
Misinformation lends itself to social contagion – here’s how to recognize and combat it
Misinformation lends itself to social contagion – here’s how to recognize and combat it Misinformation on social media can spread quickly, often faster than fact, due to complex contagion, where socially learned behaviors take time to embed. The spreading of misinformation and disinformation can be influenced by social connections, perceptions of common behavior, and lack […]
📰 News
Most Americans believe misinformation is a problem — federal research cuts will only make the problem worse
Most Americans believe misinformation is a problem — federal research cuts will only make the problem worse Research on misinformation and disinformation has been severely impacted by the Trump administration’s restructuring of federal research priorities, including the cancellation of hundreds of grants that supported this research. The overwhelming majority of Americans (95%) believe misinformation’s misleading […]
📰 News
Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns
Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns AI-powered tools are being developed to detect disinformation campaigns that use narrative tactics to manipulate public opinion, particularly on social media platforms. The key to effective disinformation detection lies in understanding narrative structures, personas, timelines, and cultural references, which AI can analyze to identify […]
💻 Technology
Social media overuse tied to belief in fake news
Social media overuse tied to belief in fake news A new study found that people who experience excessive social media use are more likely to believe fake news. The study, conducted by Michigan State University researchers, involved 189 participants aged 18-26 and presented them with real and false news stories formatted as social media posts. […]
🏥 Health
Some politicians who share harmful information are rewarded with more clicks, study finds
Some politicians who share harmful information are rewarded with more clicks, study finds A study found that U.S. state legislators who post harmful information, such as low-credibility claims or uncivil language, receive more online attention and visibility on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The study suggests that platform algorithms may unintentionally reward divisive […]
🏛️ Politics
AI-generated images can exploit how your mind works − here’s why they fool you and how to spot them
AI-generated images can exploit how your mind works − here’s why they fool you and how to spot them AI-generated images can be difficult to spot due to their ability to exploit how our minds work, including exploiting visual attention and cognitive biases. Our brains are wired for speed of detection over precision, making it […]
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