AI is intensifying a 'collapse' of trust online, stirs confusion around news events

For years, people could largely trust, at least instinctively, that seeing was believing. Now, what’s fake often looks real and what’s real often looks fake. Within the first week of 2026, that has already become a conundrum many media experts say will be hard to move past, thanks to AI advances.
NBC News

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The Longest Suicide Note in American History

The recent publication of the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy showed that the suspension of agreements between the U.S.’s Global Engagement Center and foreign counterparts was no accident. Unilateral disarmament is now official policy. Because—despite its name—this National Security Strategy is not really a strategy document. It is a suicide note.
The Atlantic

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AI deepfakes of real doctors spreading health misinformation on social media

TikTok and other social media platforms are hosting AI-generated deepfake videos of doctors whose words have been manipulated to help sell supplements and spread health misinformation. The factchecking organization Full Fact has uncovered hundreds of such videos featuring impersonated versions of doctors and influencers directing viewers to Wellness Nest, a US-based supplements firm.
The Guardian

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Endorsing easily disproved lies acts as a psychological 'power move' for some

Why do some people endorse claims that can easily be disproved? It’s one thing to believe false information, but another to actively stick with something that’s obviously wrong. New research, published in the Journal of Social Psychology, suggests that some people consider it a ‘win’ to lean in to known falsehoods.
PsyPost.org

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Misinformation sites have an open-door policy for AI scrapers

In a new study, researchers at Saarland University analyze how different websites treated robots.txt—and whether there Is a difference between sites measured as reputable versus not reputable, specifically in terms of whether or not they allowed crawling. For many AI companies, “It’s kind of a ‘do now and ask for forgiveness later’ thing,” the lead author says.
Fast Company

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Spanish-Language Social Media Increases Latinos’ Vulnerability to Misinformation

A new study shows that Latinos who rely on Spanish-language social media for news are significantly more likely to believe false political narratives than those who consume English-language content. The research highlights growing concerns over misinformation targeting Spanish-speaking communities in the United States.
UC San Diego Today

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Source Wars and Bespoke Realities: Wikipedia, Grokipedia, and The Battle for Truth

It’s not a small thing that Larry Sanger, Wikipedia’s co‑founder turned chief critic, now argues that The Epoch Times should be treated as a reliable source. Over the past decade, Wikipedia has quietly become the backbone of the internet’s knowledge layer. Volunteer editors argue over wording, vet sources, and hash out disputes in public.
Renee DiResta / Agents of Influence

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