January 9, 2026, 6:46 PM EST. AI-generated images and videos have accelerated a trust crisis online, researchers say. In early 2026, fabricated media around events such as Donald Trump's Venezuela operation and an ICE shooting circulated widely, often blending real footage with AI edits. Platforms that reward engagement incentivize remixing old media, amplifying misinformation. Jeff Hancock of Stanford warns the public's default to trust could erode, meaning people doubt even authentic digital evidence for a time. The shift echoes past tech tectonics-from Photoshop to the printing press-yet AI accelerates the pace. Deepfakes have surfaced in courtrooms and on social feeds, and political content now travels with AI-generated context. The challenge is restoring verification signals fast enough to rebuild confidence.