How To Tell What's Real Online (And What's Not)
Use this P.A.C.T framework to spot misinformation protect what's true.
With AI tools like Google’s Veo and other advanced artificial video generators, we’re heading into unsettling territory. Granted, it’s been a long time coming — but we’re here.
It’s now possible to create videos of both real and fictional people saying and doing things they never actually did. Combine that with an almost unlimited appetite for virality on social media — plus endless torrents of bad actors trying to mislead or manipulate us — and you’ve a perfect storm for pure chaos.
At the bottom of this post, you’ll find some examples of what AI is capable of today. But remember, these are the worst artificially-generated videos you’ll ever see again.
Scary, right?
With that in mind, I wanted to put together a quick, memorable framework to help us protect ourselves (and others) from falling for the coming onslaught of misinformation.
Let’s call it the P.A.C.T framework:
Pause before reacting
Assess the source
Consider the motive
Think twice before sharing
Let’s look at each area in a little more detail:
P - Pause before Reacting
I get it. It’s so tempting to immediately react to something shocking, inspiring, or irritating online. Frankly, I’m embarrassed to admit how close I am to getting sucked into this sort of stuff on a daily basis. However, we must remember that most of the content we read online is designed to elicit a response.
If you’re an older reader, those days of journalistic integrity above all else are long gone. We’re back in the Wild West of information again.
Before you click, comment, share, or let your blood boil - PAUSE.
Give yourself a moment to reflect. Allow yourself to work through the remaining steps before proceeding.
A - Assess the Source
The fact that something looks real, sounds right, or fits with our particular biases doesn’t make it authentic. Ask some crucial questions:
Who is the author?
Is this a known and credible source? Do they have coherent, logical, and fact-based evidence to support their claims?
Has the content been confirmed by a reliable news outlet? (Now, I recognize that not many of those exist these days - but still, we’re looking for some semblance of journalistic integrity)
If the source is anonymous, unfamiliar, or known for spreading misinformation, stop there…or at the very least, proceed with a high degree of caution.
C - Consider the Motive
Remember, everything shared online has an underlying motive. Sometimes good, sometimes not. Call me a pessimist, but I fear that the bulk of AI-generated videos will fall into the latter camp.
Ask:
Why does this video exist?
Is it trying to inform me or elicit an emotional response?
Who benefits from my believing or sharing this?
Note: Don’t fall for “rage-baiting.” There is an increasing number of videos that say and do outrageous things purely to provoke comments, views, shares, and other interactions. Why? Because the more interactions, the more money is generated through ad revenue.
T - Think Twice before Sharing
Even if something perfectly aligns with your own beliefs, it may not be true.
Ask:
Will this help someone to understand the world better?
Could this cause confusion or harm?
Is this fostering greater unity or greater division?
Would I want someone to share this information about me if it were fake?
Why this matters
By Pausing, Assessing, Considering, and Thinking, we can help protect our integrity, our communities, and most importantly, our witness to those around us.
I’ve kept this brief and to the point intentionally. My hope is that you’ll share it — and that it’ll help all of us grow in discernment as we face the growing storm of digital deception.
We need digital wisdom in the age of AI.
Below: Examples of the sort of artificially generated media that’s possible today. Crazy stuff.
If you found this article helpful, consider reading my book “The Church and AI: Seven Guidelines for Ministry on the Digital Frontiers,” out now! If you’ve read it already, thank you! Feel free to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads!