AI SOCIALS
The internet’s new guessing game
Social media is now full of AI-made content, from fake images to strange videos and text that looks real.
A new CNET survey found that 94% of US adults say they come across AI content online, but only 44% feel confident they can tell what’s real and what isn’t.
That’s creating a big trust problem. AI tools are getting so advanced that the old “giveaways” like obvious mistakes in images are disappearing.
Most people try to double-check suspicious posts.
About 72% take some kind of action, like looking closely for odd details, checking for labels, or searching for the content elsewhere.
Still, 25% don’t do anything at all, especially older users.
Here’s what you should know:
AI content is everywhere, but many people can’t confidently identify it.
Most users try to verify posts, though some still don’t.
Better labelling is the most supported solution, with some calling for bans.
Scrolling with a second thought
When it comes to fixing the issue, 51% want clearer AI labels, while 21% think AI content should be banned from social media completely.
Only 11% say they actually find AI content useful or entertaining.
AI isn’t going away, but the survey shows the internet is entering a phase where spotting what’s real is getting much harder.
2026 and we’re all doing forensic analysis on Instagram posts - MG