The findings point to broader concerns around the spread of misinformation, particularly in a digital environment where AI tools and online platforms can amplify unverified information quickly.
A group of scientists has demonstrated how easily misinformation can spread online by creating a fictitious disease called “bixonimania,” which was accepted as real by both artificial intelligence systems and people.
The researchers published details of the condition in 2024, describing it as an eye disorder linked to computer use. The study included fabricated authors, institutions and funding sources, but large language models such as ChatGPT and Gemini treated the information as credible.
The experiment highlighted how false claims can gain legitimacy when presented in a structured, scientific format, even when the underlying details are entirely invented.
The issue was further explored during an event at the Cambridge Festival, where participants were asked to identify misleading research presented by a panel. Some presenters shared genuine work, while others introduced false claims or identities.
Audience responses showed that both the content of presentations and factors such as delivery style, background and personal narrative influenced perceptions of credibility. In several cases, participants misidentified genuine research as false and found fabricated claims more believable.
The findings point to broader concerns around the spread of misinformation, particularly in a...
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has claimed that a viral comment linked to an X account attributed to its chairman was posted before the original pro-APC post it was respondin...