City of Bayreuth warns: Be careful with false information about waste disposal!

City of Bayreuth warns: Be careful with false information about waste disposal!

The city of Bayreuth is currently in the spotlight when it comes to the spread of misinformation about waste disposal. Residents are being urged not to rely on information generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in search engines. As the city administration emphasizes, these often provide incorrect or misleading data on disposal-related issues. Questionable information that can lead to misunderstandings appears at regular intervals, and the city calls on citizens to only rely on official sources. Reliable information can be found on the city building website and in various waste apps, some of which are also provided by the city. This is reported by the courier.

But where does this concern about fake news come from? It is becoming increasingly clear that artificial intelligence plays a dangerous role not only in everyday life, but also in the dissemination of political and social information. Professor Stefan Feuerriegel, who heads the Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Management at the LMU, points out the enormous explosive power of AI-generated disinformation. Using the latest technology, convincing texts, images and even voices can be created that are often difficult to recognize as fake. An example that still sticks in the minds of many is the viral AI-generated image of Pope Francis that misled people worldwide. It's the details that matter: Despite technological advances, AI still has difficulties with certain aspects such as the representation of hands or complex backgrounds. However, these shortcomings can be compensated for by personalizing the content and targeting target groups Ludwig Maximilian University explained.

The danger of disinformation

Fake news and disinformation find fertile ground in social networks, which encourages the spread of such false information. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, studies show that less than 1% of the content consumed on the Internet can be classified as fake news. But what is worrying is that such content is often consumed particularly intensively in certain social groups. A low level of trust in political and media institutions increases the susceptibility to such reports. This is also evident in the events surrounding Donald Trump's election or the Brexit referendum, where false information was deliberately spread. Interestingly, empirical research on the subject of fake news and disinformation has also increased dramatically in recent years - not least as a reaction to changing political conditions and the use of social media. The reports on this Federal Agency for Civic Education.

One point that has been brought up again and again in recent discussions is the role of media literacy. Experts agree: media literacy is the key to combating fake news. Users should learn to critically question information and compare different sources in order to counteract the flood of disinformation. Political actors are also required to take efficient measures and support initiatives such as “EU vs. Disinfo”. These fighters against disinformation are trying to set uniform standards in combating fake news.

In times when the information landscape is becoming increasingly complex, it is crucial that both users and platform operators act proactively. Increased awareness, transparent fact checks and a critical examination of content are essential. This is the only way each individual can take care of themselves and distinguish the truth from the lie - a challenge that affects us all and whose overcoming is becoming increasingly important in our digitalized world.