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Accessibility links * Skip to main content * Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Play Live Radio * Hourly News * Listen Live * Playlist * Open Navigation Menu * * * Newsletters * Sign In * NPR Shop * Donate Close Navigation Menu * Home * News Expand/collapse submenu for News * National * World * Politics * Business * Health * Science * Climate * Race * Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture * Books * Movies * Television * Pop Culture * Food * Art & Design * Performing Arts * Life Kit * Gaming * Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music * Tiny Desk * Hip-Hop 50 * All Songs Considered * Music Features * Live Sessions * Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily * Morning Edition * Weekend Edition Saturday * Weekend Edition Sunday * All Things Considered * Fresh Air * Up First Featured * The NPR Politics Podcast * Throughline * Trump's Trials * Wild Card with Rachel Martin * More Podcasts & Shows * Search * Newsletters * Sign In * NPR Shop * * Tiny Desk * Hip-Hop 50 * All Songs Considered * Music Features * Live Sessions * About NPR * Diversity * Support * Careers * Press * Ethics Untangling Disinformation NPR series examines how widespread the problem of disinformation is, and efforts to overcome it. Special Series UNTANGLING DISINFORMATION * Subscribe to NPR's Up First Email OpenAI, the company behind generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, announced Thursday that it had taken down influence operations tied to Russia, China and Iran. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images IN A FIRST, OPENAI REMOVES INFLUENCE OPERATIONS TIED TO RUSSIA, CHINA AND ISRAEL May 31, 2024 • AI tools have helped the people behind influence operations produce more content, but OpenAI says the operations it disrupted didn’t gain traction with real people or reach large audiences. IN A FIRST, OPENAI REMOVES INFLUENCE OPERATIONS TIED TO RUSSIA, CHINA AND ISRAEL Listen· 1:581-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/g-s1-1670/nx-s1-42a99218-f6d3-4c63-9a28-ff90999ef96f" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript Voters cast ballots in Georgia's primary election at a polling location on May 21, 2024 in Atlanta. Many officials and researchers worry that audio deepfakes of politicians could be used to sway elections this year. Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images IT’S QUICK AND EASY TO CLONE FAMOUS POLITICIANS’ VOICES, DESPITE SAFEGUARDS May 31, 2024 • Most of the tools tested by researchers at the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate could be used to successfully clone a wide range of voices belonging to European and American politicians. Voters filling out their ballots on Jan. 23 in Loudon, N.H. A political consultant faces charges in New Hampshire and steep fines from the Federal Communications Commission for creating a robocall ahead of that state's presidential primary featuring a cloned version of President Biden's voice, urging people not to vote in the primary. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America hide caption toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America A POLITICAL CONSULTANT FACES CHARGES AND FINES FOR BIDEN DEEPFAKE ROBOCALLS May 23, 2024 • The fines and charges come after New Hampshire voters got robocalls from an AI-generated version of President Biden's voice urging them not to vote in the upcoming presidential primary. Sponsor Message Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testifying before a Senate hearing earlier this month. During a May 15 hearing, she identified Russia as the greatest foreign threat to this year's U.S. elections. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images U.S. ELECTIONS FACE MORE THREATS FROM FOREIGN ACTORS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE May 15, 2024 • "Russia remains the most active foreign threat to our elections," said Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, noting that new AI technologies make influence operations easier to pull off. The proliferation of AI-generated images "has made Facebook a very bizarre, very creepy place for me," said Casey Morris, an attorney in Northern Virginia. Facebook hide caption toggle caption Facebook AI-GENERATED SPAM IS STARTING TO FILL SOCIAL MEDIA. HERE'S WHY May 14, 2024 • A Jesus made of vegetables, bizarre log cabins, products that don't exist. AI-generated images are creating new forms of clickbait and causing some users to doubt what's real. AI-GENERATED SPAM IS STARTING TO FILL SOCIAL MEDIA. HERE'S WHY Listen· 4:344-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1251072726/1251408182" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript The director of Resource Center Matamoros, Hugo Terrones, spoke to Muckraker founder Anthony Rubin and his brother after the pair showed up at RCM's office asking about volunteer opportunities. But they were never allowed inside. Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for NPR hide caption toggle caption Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for NPR 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM NPR'S REPORTING ON THE PURPORTED MATAMOROS FLYER May 10, 2024 • Here's a summary of NPR's reporting about a purported flyer that was found in a portable toilet at a migrant encampment in Matamoros, Mexico that urged migrants to vote illegally for President Biden. Abandoned tents remain at the migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico, that is at the center of a controversy involving viral images of a flyer encouraging migrants to vote for President Biden. Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for NPR hide caption toggle caption Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for NPR A FLYER IN HER NAME TOLD MIGRANTS TO VOTE FOR BIDEN. BUT SHE SAYS SHE DIDN'T WRITE IT May 10, 2024 • Viral images of the flyer were filmed in portable toilets of a migrant camp in Mexico, and they energized members of Congress. But NPR's reporting suggests the flyer is not what it purports to be. A FLYER IN HER NAME TOLD MIGRANTS TO VOTE FOR BIDEN. BUT SHE SAYS SHE DIDN'T WRITE IT Listen· 8:138-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248599505/1251647708" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript A newly signed law requires that the Chinese-owned TikTok app be sold to satisfy national security concerns. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images CHINA'S INFLUENCE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE U.S. ARE BIGGER THAN TIKTOK April 26, 2024 • Intelligence officials and lawmakers describe the Chinese-owned social media app as a national security threat. But they haven't shared that evidence with the public. CHINA'S INFLUENCE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE U.S. ARE BIGGER THAN TIKTOK Listen· 3:383-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247347363/1247405996" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript Jim Hoft, owner of the Gateway Pundit, at the White House in 2019. The website has been hit with defamation lawsuits related to 2020 election fraud conspiracy theories it is accused of spreading. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP GATEWAY PUNDIT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY AFTER ELECTION CONSPIRACY DEFAMATION LAWSUITS April 24, 2024 • The influential website faced multiple defamation suits over conspiracy theories about 2020 election fraud that it's accused of promoting. A billboard in central Tehran, Iran, depicts named Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and text in Persian reading "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," on April 15. Iran attacked Israel over the weekend with missiles, which it said was a response to a deadly strike on its consulate building in Damascus, Syria. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images AS IRAN ATTACKED ISRAEL, OLD AND FAKED VIDEOS AND IMAGES GOT MILLIONS OF VIEWS ON X April 16, 2024 • Images and videos from previous conflicts, video games and AI generators were often spread by accounts that pay to be boosted on the social media site once known as Twitter. A 2014 file photo of the seal of the Federal Trade Commission in a carpet a FTC headquarters in Washington, DC. The organization is trying to raise consumer awareness about the use of artificial intelligence tools to create convincing audio deepfakes. Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED WINNERS OF A CONTEST TO TELL REAL VOICES FROM DEEPFAKE AUDIO April 10, 2024 • Four organizations won a FTC contest for their tools that help tell real audio clips from deepfakes. The winners' approaches illuminate challenges AI audio deepfakes pose. As deepfake generation technology improves and leaves ever-fewer telltale signs that humans can rely on, computational methods for detection are becoming the norm. But technological solutions are no silver bullet for the problem of detecting AI-generated voices. Aaron Marin for NPR hide caption toggle caption Aaron Marin for NPR USING AI TO DETECT AI-GENERATED DEEPFAKES CAN WORK FOR AUDIO — BUT NOT ALWAYS April 5, 2024 • Now that people can easily create real-sounding voices with artificial intelligence, detection technologies are racing to catch deepfake audio, but it's a tough game of whack-a-mole. USING AI TO DETECT AI-GENERATED DEEPFAKES CAN WORK FOR AUDIO — BUT NOT ALWAYS Listen· 4:584-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1241446778/1243606170" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript Attendees visit booths at the RePlatform conference in Las Vegas in March. The conference crowd was a hybrid of anti-vaccine activists, supporters of former President Donald Trump and Christian conservatives. Krystal Ramirez for NPR hide caption toggle caption Krystal Ramirez for NPR HOW ANTI-VACCINE ACTIVISTS AND THE FAR RIGHT ARE TRYING TO BUILD A PARALLEL ECONOMY April 1, 2024 • Due to fears of "cancellation," alternative technology and financial platforms are being built for the so-called freedom economy by figures on the far right, including those with antisemitic beliefs. HOW ANTI-VACCINE ACTIVISTS AND THE FAR RIGHT ARE TRYING TO BUILD A PARALLEL ECONOMY Listen· 7:567-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1240778608/1242104152" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript Residents look on after a cargo ship ran into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. Conspiracy theorists online quickly spread narratives to millions online that the accident was part of a nefarious scheme. Rob Carr/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Rob Carr/Getty Images THE BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE GAVE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS A CHANCE TO BOOST THEMSELVES March 27, 2024 • One researcher says it has become "standard" for any unexpected event "to be run through a filter of conspiracy theories based on the personal brand of the person spreading the theory." High school students taking part in the University of Washington's annual MisInfo Day earlier this month. They are looking at pictures of faces to tell whether the images were created with generative AI tools or authentic. Kim Malcolm/KUOW hide caption toggle caption Kim Malcolm/KUOW AI IMAGES AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES ARE DRIVING A PUSH FOR MEDIA LITERACY EDUCATION KUOW March 21, 2024 • One of the nation's best-known media literacy events for high school students is expanding as demand grows for skills to identify deepfake images and online conspiracy theories. AI IMAGES AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES ARE DRIVING A PUSH FOR MEDIA LITERACY EDUCATION Listen· 3:503-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1239693671/1239814896" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript PragerU videos frequently focus, with a conservative bent, on topics including history, economics, values and wellness. Videos such as this one, about Christopher Columbus, have been criticized for how historical events have been depicted. PragerU/Screenshot by NPR hide caption toggle caption PragerU/Screenshot by NPR PRAGERU IS A CONSERVATIVE VIDEO GIANT. HERE'S WHY IT'S TRYING TO GET INTO SCHOOLS March 7, 2024 • Despite the suggestive sound of its name, PragerU is a content creator, not a university. Its short, well-produced videos appeal to college students and young people. And it has big plans to grow. PRAGERU IS A CONSERVATIVE VIDEO GIANT. HERE'S WHY IT'S TRYING TO GET INTO SCHOOLS Listen· 4:104-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1234491074/1236721076" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities were tricked into calling for the ouster of Moldova's president through videos requested on the Cameo app that were edited and posted on TikTok. TikTok/Screenshot by NPR hide caption toggle caption TikTok/Screenshot by NPR CAMEO IS BEING USED FOR POLITICAL PROPAGANDA — BY TRICKING THE STARS INVOLVED February 27, 2024 • Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities were tricked into calling for the ouster of Moldova's president. It's the latest example of the Cameo app being used for an apparent political propaganda operation. CAMEO IS BEING USED FOR POLITICAL PROPAGANDA — BY TRICKING THE STARS INVOLVED Listen· 2:212-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1234114383/1234114384" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript A voter leaves a polling booth at St. Anthony Community Center in Manchester, N.H., during the state's presidential primary on Jan. 23. Michael Dwyer/AP hide caption toggle caption Michael Dwyer/AP TECH GIANTS PLEDGE ACTION AGAINST DECEPTIVE AI IN ELECTIONS February 16, 2024 • Fears over how AI could be used to mislead voters are escalating in a year that will see hundreds of millions of people around the world cast ballots. As a result, tech giants are pledging action. TECH GIANTS PLEDGE ACTION AGAINST DECEPTIVE AI IN ELECTIONS Listen· 5:135-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1232001889/1232139208" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript The FCC's ruling opens the door for fines and lawsuits against robocallers who use AI voice cloning. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images THE FCC SAYS AI VOICES IN ROBOCALLS ARE ILLEGAL February 8, 2024 • The federal agency's ruling follows concerns over how the cutting-edge technology is being used to scam people and mislead voters. Voters wait to cast their ballots on Jan. 23 in Loudon, N.H. Shortly before voting began, some voters in the state got calls from a faked version of President Biden's voice urging them not to vote, a sign of the potential that deepfakes could have on the electoral process. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images AI FAKES RAISE ELECTION RISKS AS LAWMAKERS AND TECH COMPANIES SCRAMBLE TO CATCH UP February 8, 2024 • As AI-generated deepfakes are being used to spread false information in elections in the U.S. and around the world, policymakers, tech platforms and governments are trying to catch up. AI FAKES RAISE ELECTION RISKS AS LAWMAKERS AND TECH COMPANIES SCRAMBLE TO CATCH UP Listen· 4:114-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1229641751/1229965022" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, will start labeling images created with leading artificial intelligence tools in the coming months, amid growing worries about the potential for AI to mislead. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images META WILL START LABELING AI-GENERATED IMAGES ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK February 6, 2024 • Meta will start labeling images created with leading artificial intelligence tools in the coming months, amid growing worries about the potential for AI to mislead. There is a thriving landscape of social media content, online forums and entrepreneurs dedicated to helping men suppress the urge to masturbate to pornography. Joe Gough for NPR hide caption toggle caption Joe Gough for NPR CONSIDER THIS FROM NPR MASTURBATION ABSTINENCE IS POPULAR ONLINE. DOCTORS AND THERAPISTS ARE WORRIED February 3, 2024 • More than two decades of growing internet use has surfaced fears about the social and psychological impacts of nearly unfettered access to pornography. But many researchers and sex therapists worry that the online communities that have formed in response to these fears often endorse inaccurate medical information, exacerbate mental health problems and, in some cases, overlap with extremist and hate groups. MASTURBATION ABSTINENCE IS POPULAR ONLINE. DOCTORS AND THERAPISTS ARE WORRIED Listen· 28:4728-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198916105/1228862444" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Taylor Swift after a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 28, 2024 in Baltimore. Patrick Smith/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Patrick Smith/Getty Images SUPER BOWL 2024 HERE'S WHY CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE SUPER BOWL ARE SPREADING February 1, 2024 • Swift's popularity is being twisted into a threat by a contingent of far-right, Donald Trump-supporting conservatives. "Is Swift a front for a covert political agenda?" asked a Fox News host. HERE'S WHY CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE SUPER BOWL ARE SPREADING Listen· 4:124-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1228373511/1228462717" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> * Transcript A picture of Jeffrey Epstein from July 8, 2019, when federal prosecutors charged the financier with sex trafficking of minors. Epstein died later that year by suicide while in federal custody. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Stephanie Keith/Getty Images THE NEW JEFFREY EPSTEIN FILES HAVE SET OFF A FRESH ROUND OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES January 6, 2024 • Epstein, who died by suicide while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, is a favorite of conspiracists because of his ties to the wealthy and powerful and speculation about his death. THE NEW JEFFREY EPSTEIN FILES HAVE SET OFF A FRESH ROUND OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES Listen· 3:273-Minute ListenPlaylist Toggle more options * Download * Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1223212801/1223223050" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> More from Untangling Disinformation Load more stories Browse archive or search npr.org READ & LISTEN * Home * News * Culture * Music * Podcasts & Shows CONNECT * Newsletters * Facebook * Instagram * Press * Public Editor * Corrections * Contact & Help ABOUT NPR * Overview * Diversity * NPR Network * Accessibility * Ethics * Finances GET INVOLVED * Support Public Radio * Sponsor NPR * NPR Careers * NPR Shop * NPR Events * NPR Extra * Terms of Use * Privacy * Your Privacy Choices * Text Only * © 2024 npr Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor COOKIE SETTINGS When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. 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