Create a disinformation network

Learning Objective: 

Participants  will develop their ability to use Generative AI to simulate misinformation, gaining insights into the complexities of information literacy in an age of AI.

Purpose: 

This challenge encourages educators to explore how AI can generate sophisticated misinformation, highlighting the evolving challenges of information literacy in the AI era. By constructing a disinformation network, participants can experience firsthand the ease with which AI creates credible yet false content, underscoring the need for critical analysis skills in education. This exercise reinforces the crucial role of educators and institutions in equipping students to navigate and critically assess information within the complexities of an AI-driven world.

Challenge:

For this challenge, we're taking a different approach by exploring how Generative AI can make misinformation more sophisticated and harder to detect. This is particularly significant in higher education, as it raises important questions about the institution's role in supporting students' development of information literacy. Academic libraries have often led the way in this type of learning. Michael Caulfield, a research scientist at the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public, developed the SIFT framework to help students identify misinformation https://lnkd.in/gBGJxhsf. The Digital Tattoo project, a Students as Partners initiative at UBC, also supports students in developing these critical skills. https://lnkd.in/gQ5SxBc9

Let's do it!

For this challenge, try creating a mini disinformation network. Use ChatGPT or another AI tool to generate fake news articles, tweets, or research papers, and reflect on the implications of using this technology in such a way. Once you're finished, share a snippet or a link to a document showcasing your disinformation network in the Challenge 7 Forum.

For my example, I created a fake research study claiming that wearing sunglasses at night improves night vision. Using ChatGPT, I generated a fake journal article, a university press release, and a CBC news article. I then uploaded this to Google LLM Notebook and created an audio summary in the form of a podcast.

Here’s an excerpt from the fake study:

Title: The Effect of Sunglasses on Night Vision: A Novel Approach to Low-Light Visual Enhancement

Abstract

This study explores the potential to improve human night vision by consistently wearing sunglasses at night. Researchers from the Vision Research Lab propose that wearing sunglasses in low-light conditions may condition the visual system to increase sensitivity to darkness. Using behavioral analysis, visual performance tests, and neuroimaging, the study found that individuals who regularly wear sunglasses during evening hours exhibit enhanced night vision over time. The findings suggest that prolonged use of sunglasses at night could stimulate adaptive neural plasticity in the visual cortex, offering a new, non-invasive method to improve low-light vision in otherwise healthy adults. These results could have implications for individuals with impaired night vision, professionals needing enhanced low-light visibility, and recreational users.

Link to full disinformation network (Google Doc) https://lnkd.in/gUs89UUu

Link to audio summary https://lnkd.in/gCDAY_Xf