Every February, Safer Internet Day offers an opportunity to strengthen our digital literacy and protective skills. This year, one topic dominates the conversation: AI and its impact on how we distinguish truth from fiction online.
We spoke with Casey, IT Director at StrataDefense, to understand what's changing in our digital landscape and how individuals and organizations can respond.
Understanding the AI Shift
AI technology has fundamentally changed how misinformation spreads. Anyone, including those with malicious intent, can create videos, images, and written content that appear legitimate.
The technology itself is neutral, but when people use it with malicious intent, they can fabricate fake expert interviews or generate realistic footage of events that never happened. The technology has advanced to the point where traditional warning signs have disappeared in some instances.
Not that long ago, many of us could point to specific artifacts in AI-generated images, the infamous "six-finger problem" being the most recognizable. People learned to spot these glitches as proof of manipulation. But modern AI models have evolved beyond these telltale signs, creating an unintended consequence. When people don't see the red flags they've learned to identify, they're more likely to accept the content as authentic.
Video content raises particular concerns. A convincing deepfake video can spread misinformation faster and more persuasively than any other medium.
Building Your Defense Strategy
While no single solution can filter out all AI-generated misinformation, you can develop practical, personal skills that provide effective protection.
Cultivate Informed Skepticism
The most valuable skill right now is healthy skepticism paired with verification habits.
Developing informed skepticism doesn't mean doubting everything. It means developing a systematic approach to evaluating information before accepting it as true.
When you encounter surprising or emotionally charged content, pause. Ask yourself: Who created the content? What's the source? Are established news organizations reporting the story, or does it only circulate in niche communities?
Verify Through Multiple Credible Sources
Casey recommends a straightforward verification method: if you see a major claim or story, check whether reputable organizations and individuals are covering it. If a story appears only on social media or on unfamiliar websites, dig deeper.
Go directly to primary sources when possible. If someone claims an organization made a statement, visit the organization's official website or verified social media accounts rather than relying on secondhand reports.
Understand the Medium
Not all platforms maintain consistent standards for information quality. Content on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram doesn't undergo the same scrutiny as peer-reviewed studies. Engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments don't indicate truthfulness.
A telling recent example came from a fellow team member. One of their family members encountered an AI-generated Facebook post about a sports public figure that had received thousands of likes and comments. The engagement made it appear like a legitimate cause, but the entire post was fabricated. High engagement can sometimes make misinformation more convincing, not less.
Think critically about where information originates and what mechanisms, if any, exist to verify its accuracy on that platform.
The Workplace-Home Connection
One encouraging pattern Casey has observed: workplace security awareness training translates into safer habits at home. Employees who participate in phishing drills and cybersecurity education tend to apply that skepticism and caution to their personal digital lives.
The connection works in both directions. People learn about emerging threats from their kids' schools, encounter real-world AI applications at industry events, and bring that knowledge back to their organizations. Shared learning flows both ways.
Organizations have an opportunity here. Comprehensive security awareness programs protect business assets and equip people with skills that safeguard their families and communities.
Practical Steps You Can Take Today
Start Conversations That Matter
The human element remains one of the strongest defenses against misinformation.
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Talk with your family members about what they're encountering online. Discuss specific examples.
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Talk to people in your network who work at different organizations. Find out how AI impacts their work and how it is being used in their industry.
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Ask your kids what they're learning about digital literacy in school and build on those lessons.
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At work, share experiences with colleagues. If someone mentions an AI-related scam or concerning trend, use it as a learning opportunity for the broader team.
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These types of conversations build collective awareness and create a culture where people feel comfortable asking questions.
Create a Sharing Culture
Whether at work or at home, establish that asking questions beats making assumptions. Casey emphasized that, for example, IT teams would much rather receive a dozen questions about suspicious emails than deal with the aftermath of a single successful phishing attack.
Apply the same principle in your personal life. If someone you know sends you a post, image, or article that seems off, engage them in a conversation about how to pause and verify. Build digital literacy skills together.
Develop Verification Habits
Create a checklist for evaluating content:
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Are multiple established sources reporting the topic?
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Can I verify the information on an official website or through a primary source?
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Does the emotional tone seem designed to provoke immediate sharing?
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Am I seeing the content from trusted contacts or in questionable contexts?
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Applying these simple steps consistently reduces your vulnerability to misinformation.
AI as an Opportunity
AI isn't going away anytime soon. Like social media before it, it is a powerful tool that people can use for both constructive and malicious purposes. The technology already delivers value in workplaces by streamlining processes, improving service, and helping professionals manage information overload. The positive applications can be substantial.
Casey described AI as "Pandora's box". We've opened it, and we're all learning to live with what's inside. The opportunity lies in education and intentional use. When people understand how AI works, they can leverage its benefits while mitigating its risks.
The digital landscape has changed, but our ability to navigate it safely has never been stronger if we choose to build the right skills.
Every conversation you have about digital literacy matters. Every time you verify a source before sharing, you model good behavior for others. Every question you ask contributes to a culture of informed skepticism that benefits everyone.
The human connection is paramount. Technology will continue to evolve, but our capacity to educate one another, share experiences, and think critically will help protect us against whatever challenges emerge next.
Ready to strengthen your organization's defenses? The StrataDefense team specializes in practical security awareness training that gives your people real-world skills. Let's talk about building a stronger digital culture together.