The Rise of AI-Generated Content: A Double-Edged Sword

There’s a term floating around that describes the artificial content populating our online spaces. Creators often refer to it as “AI slop,” and this was definitely the case when generative AI made its debut in late 2022. Back then, AI-generated photos and videos were painfully obvious fakes. For example, the lighting was off, physical movements felt unrealistic, and I mean—have you ever seen a person with too many fingers? It was bizarre. Basically, they just didn’t seem real.

Some of you might recall a frightening early video featuring Will Smith eating spaghetti—definitely not a pleasant sight.

Fast forward just two years, and the landscape has changed dramatically. AI-generated videos now look strikingly realistic, and deepfakes—content that convincingly imitates real individuals and events—have taken over. For those curious about the evolution, there’s a clear comparison of Will Smith’s spaghetti video then and now.

Nothing is real unless it can be verified, and that is becoming increasingly difficult to authenticate.

Recently, the Trump administration has started to use AI-generated content as a political tool. They’ve been crafting amusing clips that poke fun at the left. In one particularly odd instance, an AI-generated depiction of Hakeem Jeffries appears alongside a pouty Chuck Schumer, making remarks that feel unusually candid and, well, fake.

While many AI-generated videos may simply be harmless memes, there’s an unsettling reality behind them. This makes the internet a less reliable source for truth, facts, and reality.

Identifying Fake Videos

As we look ahead to 2025, AI videos have become more believable than ever. Most platforms have not just passed the Turing test—think of that spaghetti video—but they’ve also resolved many past issues like awkwardly placed limbs. Luckily, there are still a few ways to tell apart AI content from reality.

For now, one of the easier ways is to look for watermarks. Videos created with tools like OpenAI Sora and Gemini Veo usually come with this feature. But last month, a violent video surfaced that didn’t have a watermark, raising questions about whether it was removed on purpose or an issue with the platform itself.

Another thing to trust is your gut feeling. Since AI video has become more refined, there’s often a weird quality, a sort of glossy aura, that makes it feel like you’re witnessing something unreal. Natural emotions, realistic speech patterns, and actions can still seem off, especially in complex scenarios like fluid motion or special effects.

Take a look at some examples—like a clip of Neil deGrasse Tyson that feels incredibly real. Every detail seems on point, from his office decor to his gestures. But hold on. Look closely at what happens after he shares some surprising information. The very first half feels fake, yet it’s tricky to determine the authenticity of the latter part. Watch how the video appears to float as it transitions. It could just be a clever editing technique or a sign of something deeper, but clarifying what’s real and what’s not is becoming a real puzzle.

The Dangers of Deepfakes

Deepfakes pose serious implications for society, and frankly, no one seems truly prepared for their impact. As per statistical data, U.S. adults spend a significant chunk—over 60%—of their screen time consuming video content. If what’s being consumed is misleading or fake, it could skew how we view real-world events, shape expectations about life, love, happiness, and even promote political deceptions.

In essence, truth hinges on the authenticity of the content we consume. Misinformation can easily taint facts, blur boundaries, and create doubts, which undermines social media, discredits the internet as a whole, and disrupts the fabric of society.

The reality of deepfakes is that they exist and are becoming more common. Their terrifying aspect lies in how convincingly they mirror real life. They can show public figures engaging in actions they never actually did or serve as cover for real wrongdoing. The damage is two-fold: obscuring truths while creating chaos and confusion.

Before long, realistic videos will be commonplace, and the fallout could be catastrophic. Imagine seeing leaders declare war via fabricated footage, or witnessing acts of terror against imaginary targets. In such a reality, the line between truth and fabrication would be so blurred that it risks plunging our world into chaos.

Question Everything You See Online

It’s worth noting that the internet has never been a haven of truth. From the days of dial-up, deception of varying forms has lurked beneath the surface, distorting perceptions. However, with generative AI, we’re entering a new era. This technology not only distorts narratives but creates entire facades that closely mimic reality, making it hard to discern fact from fiction.

It might be a good idea to assume that, moving forward, not much online is genuine—whether it’s political rhetoric, distant war propaganda, or even those charming animal videos filling up your social feeds. Unless it can be verified, it’s losing its real-state value. In this age of generative AI, determining what’s authentic is a growing challenge. The era of unfiltered internet is fading. Now, the only credible content comes from verified first-hand experiences and trusted news sources. Everything else should be taken with skepticism.

This growing importance highlights why reliable news organizations must step up in the future dominated by AI. When it comes to navigating this landscape of truth, looking into how credible sources operate is crucial to discerning the facts.