Another Crazy Day in AI: Media Literacy as Digital Self-Defense

Wowza Team
Oct 24
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

Weekend mode on? Before you unplug, here’s a thought to chew on while scrolling.

UNESCO’s “AI Can Make Mistakes” campaign is putting a spotlight on something we rarely pause to think about: how AI-generated content is blurring our sense of what’s real. It’s a gentle nudge to slow down before hitting “share.”

Meanwhile, learning experts are finding that AI in learning is proving it can do empathy as well as efficiency. The real lesson? AI works best when it learns from us... not instead of us.

And speaking of knowing things, ChatGPT’s newest update could make “where did we save that?” a thing of the past.

Take the weekend to think… or let AI do it for you.

Here's another crazy day in AI:

UNESCO's campaign on AI reliability and user empowerment
What L&D leaders say about AI’s real impact on learning
ChatGPT introduces connected company knowledge
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: UNESCO on Digital Truth and Literacy

A robotic scientist in a classic white coat with 'AI Scientist' on its back stands beside a human scientist with 'Human Scientist' on their coat, looking towards the AI Scientist.

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

If we can’t always tell what’s real online, how do we stay grounded in truth?

When you scroll through your feed and see a well-written article complete with expert quotes, specific dates, and professional language, do you stop to question whether it's real? Most of us don't. We read, we react, sometimes we share—and that's exactly where the problem begins.

UNESCO has launched its "AI Can Make Mistakes" campaign during Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2025. This initiative addresses something we're all dealing with but maybe haven't fully grasped yet: artificial intelligence can now create content so convincing that telling real from fake has become genuinely difficult.

The campaign builds on UNESCO’s Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms and its Multistakeholder Action Plan for Integrating Media and Information Literacy, both designed to strengthen how people engage with information in a world where the line between authentic and artificial continues to blur.

Here's what we're dealing with:

Large language models create what researchers call "hallucinations." These include made-up quotes, imaginary sources, and false statistics that sound completely legitimate
This isn't a bug but a feature of how these systems operate. When they don't know something, they make their best guess and present it with full confidence
Real consequences have already emerged. Fabricated content has influenced elections, shaped public opinion, and damaged trust in legitimate news sources
While 88% of countries say media literacy matters in their policies, only 17 countries (9% worldwide) have actually implemented specific programs to address it
UNESCO's frameworks outline different responsibilities. Platforms should explain their operations more transparently, schools should treat information literacy as core curriculum, and individuals need to practice better verification habits
No single solution will fix this. The response needs coordination across platforms, institutions, and users

The difficulty extends beyond simply identifying fake articles or doctored images. When AI can produce entire coherent narratives complete with supporting evidence and professional polish, it changes how we evaluate information. The same technology that helps people research topics, draft documents, and answer complex questions also makes it trivial to generate convincing misinformation. This duality means we can't simply reject the technology or embrace it without reservation. We're stuck figuring out how to use powerful tools responsibly while protecting ourselves from their misuse.

Earlier forms of false information (whether propaganda, tabloid journalism, or conspiracy theories) usually had tells that gave them away. AI-generated content can replicate professional standards so well that even experts sometimes struggle to spot it. The speed at which this content spreads through social networks compounds the problem. By the time fact-checkers verify or debunk something, it may have already reached millions of people and shaped their understanding of events.

The frameworks UNESCO has developed don't promise easy answers because there probably aren't any. They outline steps different groups can take. Platforms can be clearer about how their algorithms prioritize content. Educators can integrate critical thinking skills throughout curricula. Policymakers can create standards without stifling innovation. Individuals can develop habits of questioning and verification. Whether these steps happen quickly enough or comprehensively enough to keep pace with the technology remains uncertain. AI systems keep getting more capable, and the gap between what they can do and our ability to manage their effects keeps growing. How societies navigate this gap will likely determine whether these tools ultimately help us find reliable information or make that task nearly impossible.

Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

What L&D Leaders Say About AI’s Real Impact On Learning

/RWS Group, on Slator

AI is transforming corporate learning, not by replacing people but by amplifying what they do best. In two recent RWS webinars, learning experts from companies like Cognota, Align Technology, and Lockton Dunning Benefits explored how AI is reshaping the design, delivery, and governance of eLearning. The discussions highlighted a key insight: the most effective AI applications in learning combine efficiency with empathy, creativity, and responsible data practices. Rather than automating education, AI is helping L&D leaders build smarter, more human-centered learning experiences.

Another Crazy Day in AI: Media Literacy as Digital Self-Defense

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