How AI Is Making It Impossible to Stay Informed

Have you ever stopped to wonder how much time it really takes to stay informed in today’s world?

Image created by Author — Overwhelmed by a never ending stream of information

You might think subscribing to a few quality newspapers and catching up over the weekend is enough. For years, this approach provided a balanced, thoughtful media diet. But in today’s world, that strategy no longer works.

Sure, you’ll get information — or at least the illusion of it. But the real issue often lies in what’s not being said rather than what’s reported.

The Doomscrolling Alternative

If you’re feeling frustrated with traditional media, you’re not alone. Many people are turning to alternative platforms like Twitter (now X) to get their news. One endless scroll after another delivers information directly to your brain, offering a non-stop flow of real-time updates. Suddenly, the world looks very different — not necessarily better, but more honest perhaps?

“Staying informed through new media depends on carefully curating who you follow,” someone recently told me. Yet no matter how meticulously I try to control my feed, Elon Musk’s bipolar ramblings and the musings of other algorithm-anointed figures still dominate. It’s hard to avoid them.

On X, you’ll find stories too controversial for mainstream media. The globalised digital square offers a front-row seat to the chaos of world events.There’s a certain thrill in being part of the “awakened” club of self-proclaimed übermenschen. But no matter how critical you try to be, you’ll eventually fall for something — a breaking news alert that triggers an emotional response. Without thinking, you share it with friends. Minutes later, as you come back to your senses, you realize the story wasn’t quite what it seemed. Embarrassed, you send another message: “Oops, never mind.”

Why Staying Informed is So Hard

Here’s the real problem. Staying truly informed today isn’t as simple as it used to be — it’s become a full-time job. Every piece of news demands careful scrutiny. Every article, photo, and video has to be double checked against multiple sources, and placed in a broader context.

In the past, spreading credible news took real effort. A well-researched article or a convincing video required time, resources, and expertise. Whether it was produced by a low-cost information factory or an expensive Western newsroom, there was a limit to the volume of news that could be created. Choices and priorities had to be made.

But with the emergence of generative AI, information has become an abundant digital commodity. Now, text, images, and even videos can be produced endlessly at minimal cost.

The Blurring of Truth and Fiction

It all started with text. Early AI-generated articles were relatively easy to spot — clunky language and obvious patterns gave them away. But AI has now become so sophisticated that distinguishing between truth and fabrication is almost impossible.

While text has become unreliable, we once held onto images as anchors of truth. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” as the saying goes. But even that old adage doesn’t hold up anymore. AI-generated visuals, once distinguishable by an “uncanny valley” feel, have further blurred the line between real and fake. With powerful models like Grok 2 generating hyper-realistic and uncensored images, even seasoned observers are having trouble telling the difference.

It’s not just images. Videos, long trusted as solid evidence, are also becoming easier to fabricate. The day when we can no longer trust what we see on video is fast approaching — if it hasn’t already arrived.

Where Do We Go From Here?

So, what’s the solution? How do we break free from the ever-growing information overload? It seems impossible to escape it entirely. Disconnecting from these streams of information might seem like a brave and effective option, but it’s not very realistic. Complete withdrawal from the news cycle would plunge us into blissful ignorance.

More government regulation? That’s unlikely to save us either. And using technology to solve a problem caused by technology often feels like an endless chase with no finish line in sight.

But there is hope. Human creativity and ingenuity have always found a way forward. The beauty of the future is that it remains unpredictable — it hasn’t happened yet. And that means we still have the power to shape it.

How to Stay Sane in a World of Misinformation

As AI relentlessly blurs the lines between fact and fiction, staying informed has become a battle for clarity. It’s no longer enough to passively consume information — we must become active gatekeepers of our own conscious and subconscious knowledge. We’re in a time that demands skepticism, critical thinking, and an unwavering commitment to question everything we encounter.

The future of information may seem overwhelming, but it’s also a moment of incredible potential. Those who adapt will be empowered, not paralysed. We amid an ongoing media revolution, where the power to discern truth from deception will be the most valuable skill of our time.

By sharpening our minds and refusing to be swayed by the deluge of falsehoods, we can rise above the noise.

The age of misinformation is here — but so is our opportunity to redefine how we understand the world.

We have a choice: drown in the flood of confusion or become the architects of a more informed, conscious society. The tools are at our fingertips. It’s time to wield them with precision, and foremost purpose.