Redrawing the Lines Against DisinformationHow AI Is Shaping the Present and Future of Fact-checking

  1. Beatriz Gutiérrez-Caneda 1
  2. Jorge Vázquez-Herrero 1
  1. 1 Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
    info

    Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

    Santiago de Compostela, España

    ROR https://ror.org/030eybx10

Revista:
Trípodos

ISSN: 1138-3305,  2340-5007

Año de publicación: 2024

Título del ejemplar: Artificial Intelligence and Communication. Opportunities and challenges

Número: 55

Páginas: 55-74

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.51698/TRIPODOS.2024.55.04 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openAcceso abierto editor

Otras publicaciones en: Trípodos

Resumen

Artificial intelligence is changing the way our world works, and the journalism and communication field is no exception. The development of high technologies such as NLP or machine learning has modified professional routines, work profiles, and business models. Fact-checking initiatives, which have long battled disinformation, now face a complex context where misleading content grows faster than ever. In this situation, artificial intelligence, or AI, can be a double-edged sword. On the one side, AI-generated content can be created faster than regular content; therefore, there is a huge volume of data to be analysed by fact-checkers. Furthermore, NLP software is not always as reliable as it might be expected. It tends to ‘hallucinate’, creating more misleading content and hoaxes. On the other hand, AI can be a helpful tool in fighting disinformation. This paper analyses 10 independent international fact-checking initiatives through case analysis and questionnaires with fact-checkers. Results show that these sites use AI during different stages of their routines, accelerating processes, simplifying tasks and improving the accuracy of fact-checking results. AI integration shows some risks related to economic restrictions, platform limitations, media distrust, and inequity between countries. To conclude, this research also demonstrates that journalists are still in the loop about fact-checking sites, but more tech profiles and better skills are required.

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