How AI-Generated Images Are Fueling Misinformation

Universitywide
Robot hand changing word blocks of word Fact to Fake

How confident are you in evaluating AI-generated text and images?

Over the last several years, the proliferation of AI-generated content has led to a marked increase in misinformation on the web. Recent news events, such as a surge of AI-generated videos of the Iran War and misinformation regarding the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, show just how powerful—and misleading—this content can be in shaping our perceptions of reality. For example, in early January 2026, social media was flooded with AI-generated images of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s capture that weren’t real, blending fabricated visuals with genuine footage and confusing millions of viewers worldwide. Even after fact-checking groups debunked the fake images, much of the content continued to circulate online, highlighting how AI can blur the line between truth and fiction in breaking news situations. 

This trend isn’t limited to political news. A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that people who regularly rely on AI tools exhibited diminished metacognitive abilities, leading to increased confidence in potentially inaccurate or misleading information.

What This Means for Researchers 

AI is a powerful tool that can support productivity, analysis, and communication—but it also poses challenges for information quality and research integrity. 

  • Highly realistic AI content (text, images, or video) can spread misinformation rapidly through social networks.
  • Even well-meaning AI assistance can inflate users’ confidence in the correctness of information without improving actual understanding.
  • Standard search habits and evaluation strategies may not be enough to spot subtle inaccuracies or AI “hallucinations.”

Across disciplines, researchers increasingly encounter AI-generated content, and knowing how to evaluate this content is now a key research skill.

How Rutgers University Libraries Can Help 

Whether you’re reviewing literature, analyzing data, writing a paper, or preparing a lecture, understanding how to evaluate the reliability of AI-generated information is essential. The Libraries offer resources and services to help researchers develop the AI literacy skills essential for navigating today’s complex information environment. Here are three things you can do right now:

1 - Browse our research guides.

Check out these research guides for resources and tips on using AI in your research, teaching, and studies, as well as for detecting misinformation and disinformation: 

2 - Register for a workshop. 

Register and attend our hybrid in-person/virtual workshop being held at the Dana Library at Rutgers University–Newark: Erosion of Truth: A Workshop on How to Protect Yourself from Mis/Disinformation. You will come away with techniques to protect yourself from misinformation and disinformation in the age of AI. The workshop is on Wednesday, April 1, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

3 - Schedule a consultation.

Email ask_research@libraries.rutgers.edu to schedule a consultation with a library specialist about how to responsibly integrate AI tools into your research project.

For the Media

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