Economía

January 9, 2026, 7:18 AM EST. AI-fueled misinformation is eroding the public's ability to distinguish real from fake online. In early 2026, AI-generated images and videos circulated after the Trump Venezuela operation and a fatal ICE shooting, including attempts to remove a masked officer's identity. Platforms that reward engagement accelerate the spread by recycling old photos and clips to amplify emotion around breaking news. Researchers say the erosion is a trust default-people may believe what they see until they have reason to doubt. Jeff Hancock of the Stanford Social Media Lab notes the problem will persist in the short term as people struggle to trust digital content. Deepfakes have even surfaced in court and in viral political videos, underscoring a broader challenge.