A recent study conducted by Abdulgaffar Olawale Arikewuyo, a Nigerian scholar based in the UK, indicates that people with limited critical thinking abilities are considerably more susceptible to AI-generated fake news, particularly within younger demographics.
The study, released on April 7, 2025, in the journal Media, explored the psychological elements affecting susceptibility to AI-created false information, including deepfakes and automatically generated texts.
Arikewuyo, who teaches in the Department of Journalism within the School of Computing and Digital Media at London Metropolitan University, carried out the quantitative research involving 381 Nigerian young adults ranging from 18 to 40 years old.
The research indicated that weak critical thinking skills not only make individuals more susceptible to artificial intelligence-generated misinformation but also result in a decrease in confidence in media sources.
The research further revealed a connection between an emotional bond with news material and a higher probability of being deceived by artificial intelligence-created false information, which the researcher terms as AI-FNE.
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The study indicates that individuals lacking strong critical thinking abilities might not have the mental framework required to differentiate between reliable news outlets and artificial intelligence-generated false information, thereby increasing their vulnerability to such misinformation and consequently diminishing their confidence in journalism.
Arikewuyo also found that emotional responses to news content often fuel impulsive behaviours, which in turn could manifest as increased hostility or other antisocial tendencies.
“This finding is particularly relevant in today’s digital news landscape, where emotionally charged content is often amplified by social media algorithms,” the study notes, adding that the emotional manipulation of audiences may have real-world social consequences.
The study found that enhancing media literacy and fostering critical thinking abilities are crucial for addressing the increasing impact of AI-driven misinformation.
The scholar further suggested increasing educational initiatives designed to assist young individuals in cultivating a critical outlook and maintaining a measured emotional response when engaging with news material.
Titled “Is AI Fomenting Innovation or Disorder? The Psychological Factors Influencing Exposures to AI-Generated Fake News (AI-FNE) and Their Impact on Youth,” the study indicates that although AI isn’t inherently causing disorder, it is transforming the media landscape in such a way that demands immediate consideration.
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