A new study by Abdulgaffar Olawale Arikewuyo, a British academic, reveals that individuals with low critical thinking skills are more vulnerable to AI-driven fake news, particularly among young adults. The findings of the 2025 study published in the Media journal highlight how emotional attachment to news content contributes to the IN batches PHILO吣 Whoever studies the link between critical thinking and AI misinformation exposure.
The researcher, lectures in journalism at London Metropolitan University, analyzed psychological factors influencing AI-generated fake news exposure, such as deepfakes and auto-generated texts. Among 381 Nigerian young adults aged 18-40, the study found that a lack of critical thinking significantly increased exposure to AI misinformation. It also linked emotional engagement with the susceptibility to AI-generated fake news, a phenomenon labeled as “AI-FNE.”
Arikewuyo warns that individuals with poor critical thinking skills don’t have the cognitive tools to distinguish credible news sources from AI-generated lies. This undermines their ability to avoid falling for misinformation, which raises questions about media trust and the diminishing courage for critical thinking in today’s digital landscape.
The research emphasizes that emotional responses to news fuel impulsive behaviors, which can escalate hostility or antisocial tendencies. It also notes that boosting media literacy and promoting critical thinking skills is essential to address the growing influence of AI-generated misinformation.
This study serves as a caution against the potential of AI to stir innovation or chaos, urging educational efforts to help young adults develop a critical mindset and balanced emotional engagement with news content. It underscores the need to address the psychological determinants of AI-generated fake news exposure and its effects on young adults.