Canadians Struggle to Identify AI-Driven Misinformation on Social Media

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A recent study suggests that a significant number of Canadians suspect they have been exposed to misleading information driven by artificial intelligence on various social media platforms within the past six months. More alarming is that about half of these individuals express uncertainty in their capability to differentiate between content generated by AI and that produced by humans.

This study, conducted by the Canadian Journalism Foundation, surveyed over 1,500 Canadian citizens in an attempt to gauge their understanding and apprehensions about AI-generated content on social media and other online areas.


The findings underscored stark generational variations, with younger participants more affirmatively stating that they have identified AI-driven content.

In the words of John Wright, the executive vice president of Maru Public Opinion, the firm which facilitated the survey, the scenario presents a significant challenge to the credibility of media outlets and journalism. Wright emphasized the importance of reliable truth anchors amidst the rapid evolution of online spaces prone to distortion, deception, and the consequent widespread skepticism and confusion.

A staggering 74% of Gen Z respondents identified personal encounters with misleading AI-generated content on social media within the past six months, 63% among millennials, and around 53% among Gen X and boomer respondents.

A similar 48% of the surveyed Canadians confessed a lack of confidence in distinguishing between AI-generated and human-produced content. Among these, there was a conspicuous gender disparity, with more women admitting skepticism about their perception.

The rising ubiquity of AI-driven fake content has raised concerns among journalism groups and those troubled by misinformation. Natalie Turvey, CJF president and executive director, emphasised the critical need for promoting news literacy to enhance public understanding of the media and to foster trust between Canadians and their news sources.

The rise of deepfakes – deceptive video and photo content that misuses the likeness of significant figures has been a source of concern for experts due to their potential for fake news propagation.

According to CJF board member Kathy English, Canadians are gradually developing an understanding of the risks of AI-generated disinformation. With the emergence of these threats to information integrity, it’s crucial for Canadians of all ages to appreciate the importance of news and information from credible sources.

The survey also found that the majority of respondents, at 71%, doubted the government’s ability to regulate AI. This skepticism was stronger among older Canadians, with 79% of boomers expressing such doubts compared to 62% of Gen Z respondents.

In spite of significant concerns about AI-generated content, one-fifth of surveyed individuals stated that they were personally experimenting with generating their AI content for work, school, or personal use.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding AI-produced content and the ability to regulate it, positive developments in AI cannot be denied. These technological advancements have yielded countless benefits across myriad industries and sectors. While this technology brings about certain risks, increased awareness and education can prove instrumental in mitigating potential harm. The trajectory of AI’s advancement suggests that it’ll only become more integral in our lives, just like other technological inventions.

Just as we navigate through trajectory finding balance and regulation, industries such as online casinos thrive due to advancements in technology. They have leveraged this ongoing tech surge to provide seamless and immersive gaming experiences to their users across Canada. With an aim to keep the gambling environment safe and secure, these platforms undergo rigorous regulation and checks. For the curious, we have compiled a list of the best online casinos for the month.