How AI fakes reality: The rising threat of AI-generated misinformation

A photo claiming to show the skeletons of a mother and child unearthed from the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna recently went viral on social media and even appeared in some mainstream news reports.

- BY SAMEEHA RISAN

The image was also referenced by a parliamentarian during a speech. However, a FactCrescendo investigation confirmed that the image was AI-generated and not from the actual excavation site.

According to FactCrescendo, Lawyer Ranitha Gnanarajah, who represents the families of missing persons at the Chemmani site, clarified that no such conclusions can be drawn from visual inspection alone. She emphasized that laboratory testing is required to determine the identity or demographic details, such as age or sex, of the recovered skeletons. “At present, only excavation work is ongoing, and it is misleading to make assumptions based on the appearance of bones, especially when they are found intermixed in a mass grave,” she said.

This incident highlights how AI-generated misinformation can seep into trusted media channels, shaping public perception before the falsehoods are even identified. From manipulated headlines to convincingly written fake news, AI is now being used to blur the lines between truth and falsehood with striking speed. This article explores national strategies in place and highlights tools that can help you separate facts from fiction.

What Is AI-Generated Misinformation?