For years, many internet users could instinctively trust what they saw online. A photo of a protest, a video of a news event — people generally assumed that what appeared real was real. But that baseline of trust is rapidly unraveling, and experts warn that artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating a collapse of online trust that could reshape how we consume and evaluate information.
When Seeing No Longer Means Believing
In the opening weeks of 2026, a flurry of events has shown just how quickly AI‑generated content can blur the line between fact and fiction. After a major international news event involving Venezuela’s former leader made headlines, AI tools began generating and circulating fake images and videos on social media platforms — some designed to mimic real moments but digitally altered in ways that made them virtually indistinguishable from genuine media.
In another incident, following a fatal police shooting in the United States, users shared an AI‑edited image of the scene that was widely mistaken for real, and other attempts surfaced showing AI‑manipulated depictions of law enforcement officers.
Experts say this mix of real and AI‑generated content is creating confusion and suspicion, undermining the traditional online trust default — the assumption that communication is legitimate unless proven otherwise. “That’s going to be the big challenge,” said Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab. “For a while, people are really going to not trust things they see in digital spaces.”
More Than Just Deepfakes
While “deepfakes” — AI‑generated videos and images that mimic real people — often grab headlines, the challenge runs deeper. Much of the misinformation spreading online isn’t entirely AI‑fabricated from scratch. Instead, users are recycling old photos and clips, or lightly altering real footage and amplifying it for engagement. Social media algorithms that reward shares and clicks can inadvertently push deceptive content to the top of users’ feeds.
Researchers note that the erosion of trust online isn’t entirely new. Misleading content has circulated since the early days of social media and even earlier, but AI’s ability to produce highly convincing visuals and narratives at scale is intensifying the problem.
The Human Toll of Digital Mistrust
Part of the worry is not just deception — it’s the psychological impact. Renee Hobbs, a communication studies professor, said the overwhelming volume of real and synthetic content can lead to cognitive exhaustion, making it harder for people to sift truth from falsehood. “If constant doubt and anxiety about what to trust is the norm,” she explained, “then disengagement is a logical response.” That kind of emotional fatigue, Hobbs suggests, could ultimately discourage people from caring whether something is true — a scenario she describes as more dangerous than deception itself.
New research also suggests that AI‑driven disinformation is not just a local or national problem but a global one. In countries with limited press freedom, manipulated content can quickly influence public perception, sway elections, or incite social unrest. The reach and speed of AI‑assisted media amplification are unprecedented.
Why Trust Is So Vulnerable
Tech leaders and media scholars note that the trust default model — where users assume information is credible until shown otherwise — is eroding. This shift is uncomfortable because humans are inherently wired to trust what they see, especially images and videos. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, pointed out that people may need to move toward starting with skepticism and evaluating the source and context of digital media before believing it. (nbcnewyork.com)
Adding to the complexity, studies show that bias and partisanship further distort how people assess information. Individuals are more likely to dismiss real content if it contradicts their worldview and accept convincing fake content if it aligns with their beliefs.
The Role of AI Companies
Experts emphasize that technology companies themselves bear responsibility. Platforms hosting AI‑generated media must implement detection tools, labelling systems, and transparency policies to help users distinguish real from synthetic content. Several startups are developing AI verification services, and social media giants are experimenting with warnings for potentially manipulated media, but these efforts are still in their early stages.
The Path Forward: Awareness and Literacy
Experts on misinformation argue that combating this collapse of trust won’t happen with technology alone. Media literacy, critical thinking, and public education are key. Teaching users not just that AI can fabricate content but how it works and why it’s so persuasive could help individuals better navigate the digital landscape.
Siwei Lyu, a computer science professor who studies deepfake detection, emphasizes common awareness and common sense as vital defenses. Even without specialized training, users can ask simple questions: Why does this seem believable? Who shared it? Does this source have a track record of accuracy?
A Trust Crisis in the Digital Age
As AI continues to evolve, so too will the nature of online communication. Experts warn that in the short term especially, uncertainty and skepticism — even about authentic content — will become commonplace. The implications reach beyond social media into public trust in institutions, news, and democratic processes.
This shift demands a new approach to how we interpret and evaluate information in the digital era — one where trust cannot be assumed, but must be earned and verified.
