A new study by Abdulgaffar Olawale Arikewuyo, a UK-based Nigerian academic, has revealed that individuals with low critical thinking skills are significantly more vulnerable to fake news generated by artificial intelligence (AI), especially among young adults.
The research, published on April 7, 2025, in the journal Media, examined the psychological factors that influence exposure to AI-generated fake news content, such as deepfakes and auto-generated texts.
Arikewuyo, who lectures in the Department of Journalism, School of Computing and Digital Media at London Metropolitan University, conducted the quantitative study among 381 Nigerian young adults aged between 18 and 40.
The findings showed that poor critical thinking not only increases exposure to AI-driven misinformation but also leads to a decline in media trust.
The study also established a link between emotional attachment to news content and a greater likelihood of falling for AI-generated fake news, a phenomenon the author refers to as AI-FNE.
“Individuals with lower critical thinking skills may lack the cognitive tools necessary to distinguish between credible news sources and AI fake news,” the study states, warning that “this increases their chances of being exposed to AI fake news and in turn reduces their trust in the media.”
Arikewuyo also found that emotional responses to news content often fuel impulsive behaviours, which in turn could manifest as increased hostility or other antisocial tendencies.
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“This finding is particularly relevant in today’s digital news landscape, where emotionally charged content is often amplified by social media algorithms,” the study notes, adding that the emotional manipulation of audiences may have real-world social consequences.
The research revealed that boosting media literacy and promoting critical thinking skills are key to tackling the growing influence of AI-generated misinformation.
The scholar also recommended more educational efforts aimed at helping young people develop a critical mindset and a balanced emotional engagement with news content.
The article, titled Is AI Stirring Innovation or Chaos? Psychological Determinants of AI Fake News Exposure (AI-FNE) and Its Effects on Young Adults, revealed that while AI is not necessarily creating chaos, it is reshaping the media environment in ways that demand urgent attention.
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