AI Generated Content – What’s Real and What’s Not

With the rise of AI-generated content appearing exponentially throughout the internet, Maryville College students are questioning what’s real and what’s fake. As technology advances faster than rules and regulations can keep up, the line between truth and deception can be concerning, which raises questions about mass media and the role of education in a world driven by artificial intelligence. 

Dr. Chathuri Perera, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Maryville College, was able to provide insight on this topic. First, Perera  mentioned students’ awareness for AI’s usage, and its potential for misinformation.

“Students are generally aware of AI-generated content, especially text-based outputs from tools like ChatGPT or Co-pilot. While digital literacy is improving, I believe many students still struggle to critically analyze AI-generated content. We did a survey last fall asking students about their usage of AI tools. The survey showed that a significant number of students have used AI tools and are aware of misinformation risks.

“A portion of students don’t use AI frequently due to their reluctance to trust AI-generated content and still prefer to rely on their own work without AI assistance. However, their awareness of AI-generated misinformation in other areas, especially deep fake videos, altered audio, and synthetic news is a matter yet to be discovered,” said Perera.

Perera shared a specific example of how AI can be used to mislead.

“We have seen deep fake videos being used to create fake speeches by world leaders, influencing public opinion and even elections. AI-written articles have spread false information on social media,”  Perera said.

And while the idea of deception in details can be worrying, there are also risks involved. Dr. Dan Ross,  Associate Professor of Mathematics at Maryville College, also added his input on dangers of AI created videos.

“They can be very convincing, since we have long trusted video as representing the world in an objectively truthful way, and AI-generated video can look very realistic. In addition to spreading misinformation, this fundamental shift away from being able to trust realistic looking video can be disorienting and can influence people to feel like they can’t trust anything, increasing fear and distrust of everything. We already experience this in other forms of media, but video will potentially up the level,” said Ross. 

Students can develop a general conclusion on what’s real or AI generated, but there are some telltale signs to look for at the moment. 

“Currently, there might be some telltale signs of AI-generation particularly around more subtle and/or complex things like written language, human faces or hands, etc. When something looks off in one of those areas, it can be a sign of AI-generation,” Ross said. He also brought  up how the capacity of AI is changing quickly, and that what works today may not work for too long.

Unnatural eye movements, mismatched audio and lip-syncing, blurred or distorted backgrounds, and unusual background noise,” added Perera. 

“Some AI-generated videos are obviously fake, but others require closer scrutiny. Verifying the source and performing reverse image or video searches can help confirm authenticity,” said Perera, claiming that looking up trustworthy sources helps in general.

Beyond student awareness, Maryville College has also taken steps to address the impact of AI on the college campus.

“The AI Task Force was created to address the rapid advancements in AI, develop ethical guidelines, integrate AI literacy into the curriculum, and equip faculty, staff, and students with the tools to navigate AI’s impact on education and society. As AI continues to evolve, we recognize the importance of preparing students for a workforce where AI literacy will be an essential skill. Our focus is twofold: leveraging AI’s potential to enhance learning, pedagogy and research while also addressing its challenges, such as misinformation and academic integrity,” said Perera. 

It is important to note that professors are allowed to utilize AI however they like. “Each professor does have the freedom to shape their own courses as they see fit, so students will probably experience a variety of approaches to AI in their classes, but we are collectively working to keep considering how we can each incorporate AI into our classrooms,” said Ross. 

Colleges like Maryville College play an important role in helping students navigate and respond to fake AI-generated content. Ross talked about how MC’s Statement of Purpose is worthy to look over for this, and also hopes for the students’ creative initiative. 

“I hope MC is a place where students can engage in thoughtful work that is meaningful to them and learning about AI and how to interact with it, use it and handle the content created by it all seems very relevant to all of us,” said Ross. 

Though it seems to see AI as a helpful tool, we should also be wary in terms of ethical concerns when using it. 

“One of the most important concerns is plagiarism. Using AI-generated content without proper attribution is unethical and can constitute academic dishonesty. Privacy is another major issue. AI tools often collect and store user data, raising security risks. Students should only use college-approved AI tools, such as Microsoft Co-Pilot, to ensure their privacy is protected, especially when working with sensitive information or original research,” said Perera. 

Perera also mentioned how the AI Task Force is constructing guidelines for staff and students on moral usage of AI.

Stepping back from the heavier concerns, AI generated content can be used in positive ways.  “When used responsibly, AI can be a powerful tool for content creation, learning and problem-solving. AI is like a calculator, it can speed up processes and simplify complex tasks, but users must understand how to interpret and apply the results,” said Perera. 

Using AI the right way means staying curious, thinking for yourself, and always aiming to do the right thing. 

“My advice is to view AI as a helpful tool to simplify your life, but remember not to let it define who you are. Be an authentic person in a world full of fake. Grow with technology, and do not let it outgrow you,” Perera said.

As AI evolves, Maryville College is working to engage students with the tools to think critically, use technology ethically and stay truthful. From recognizing deepfakes to making informed choices, students are learning to lead in a digital aged society. In the company of ongoing support from faculty and the AI Task Force, the future heads toward a campus of innovation.