AI Chatbots Used to Create Fake News Websites, Study Shows
A new report published by NewsGuard reveals that dozens of news websites generated by AI chatbots are proliferating online. The report raises questions about how technology may supercharge established fraud techniques. The report, which evaluated 49 such websites reviewed independently by Bloomberg, states that none of these sites disclose that they are populated by AI chatbots such as OpenAI Inc.’s ChatGPT or potentially Alphabet Inc.’s Google Bard. These chatbots can generate detailed text based on simple user prompts.
The 49 websites mentioned in the report run the gamut. While some are dressed up as breaking news sites with generic-sounding names like News Live 79 and Daily Business Post, others share lifestyle tips, celebrity news or publish sponsored content. However, all the websites mentioned in the report lack transparency regarding their use of AI chatbots to generate content.
The report highlights that this is a growing phenomenon, with many of these websites having been created only this year as the use of AI chatbots became more widespread. The report raises concerns about how this technology could be used to spread misinformation and fake news.
As AI chatbots become more sophisticated, the potential for them to create high-quality, human-like content using prompts in feeds, news articles and social media posts increases. This is a worrying trend, particularly in a world where the line between real and fake news is increasingly blurred. The NewsGuard report serves as a timely reminder of the importance of transparency in online news.
