Research workshop focuses on misinformation in AI era
Texas A&M University-Victoria students, faculty and staff, as well as community members, will have the opportunity to attend a workshop about how to identify misinformation in a world increasingly affected by AI.
Detecting Misinformation in the AI Era is a free workshop created by Saidat Ilo, associate professor of political science. The workshop is based on her research into the impact of AI and misinformation on society. It will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 inside the University Commons Multi-Purpose Room 1123, 3006 N. Ben Wilson St. Check-in and refreshments begin at 2:30 p.m.
The workshop is the first of two planned for this year. The first one will be for A&M-Victoria students and employees, and is open to the public. The second workshop is open to the public and will be held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 14 at the Victoria Public Library, 302 N. Main St.
“As AI-generated content becomes increasingly realistic, it is not always possible to determine what is authentic simply by looking at it,” Ilo said. “This workshop is designed to help participants think critically about the information they encounter, evaluate sources and evidence, recognize potentially misleading content, and make informed decisions about what to trust and share.”
As a political scientist, Ilo became interested in how misinformation circulating online can influence individuals' beliefs and decisions. As AI-generated and manipulated content becomes more sophisticated, even experienced internet users may struggle to evaluate the authenticity and reliability of information they encounter. In one instance, Ilo met a physician who said his patients are more willing to believe an AI diagnosis of their symptoms than his own.
“We are living in an environment where images and other content can be created or manipulated to appear highly convincing,” Ilo said. “Technology can assist us in evaluating information, but it cannot replace human judgment. Strengthening civic literacy means helping people ask better questions, examine evidence, and approach information with appropriate skepticism.”
The workshop will introduce practical strategies for evaluating online information, checking sources and claims, recognizing potentially misleading content, and understanding the limitations of AI detection tools. Participants will engage in interactive exercises that emphasize critical thinking and informed judgment.
“Keeping up with the rapid moving AI landscape and discerning fact from synthetic media can become challenging for all of us,” said Maria Martinez, vice president for research, innovation and sponsored programs. “Dr. Ilo's project is both incredibly timely and deeply relevant. Providing internal seed funding for Dr. Ilo's early-stage pilot work equips her to gather preliminary data needed to scale her work, compete for larger grants, and ultimately have an impact upon how our communities navigate information.”
Ilo’s research was funded by an internal research grant from the university, and an additional grant from the Victoria Rotary Club is funding the workshops and other community outreach activities. In addition to her own efforts, she partnered with Daya Nand, a former A&M-Victoria computer science faculty member.
For more information about the workshop, contact Ilo at ilos@tamuv.edu.
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.