Developing a Platform to Spot AI-Generated Misinformation: The Story Behind AuthentiCheck AI
By Jessica Schmilovich
As teenagers navigating the digital world, we are exposed to an overwhelming amount of information every day. Social media, news platforms, and online communities are part of our daily lives, but they also pose unique challenges. The line between fact and fiction has blurred, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that generate convincing but false content. According to NewsGuard, there are already 1,110 AI-generated news and information sites operating with little to no human oversight, actively spreading false narratives. This is a growing concern, not just because of the difficulty in distinguishing true from false, but because these narratives can shape our worldview in ways we may not even realize.
The need to critically evaluate what we see online is more important than ever. We are the first generation growing up with AI shaping the media landscape, and without the right tools and awareness, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing something just because it looks real. Start by checking the source of anything surprising or dramatic; reputable news outlets and educational sites are more reliable than random accounts or unknown blogs. Watch for repetitive or awkward phrasing that can signal AI-generated content. Cross-checking facts with other trusted sites can quickly reveal inconsistencies, which is crucial when misinformation spreads fast.
If an image feels off, use a reverse image search to see if it’s been taken out of context or edited. Picture seeing a headline with a shocking claim; before reacting, see if major outlets are covering it. Or when you see an image or video of a celebrity making a controversial statement; check for the clip on their official channels to confirm its authenticity. With so much information swirling around us, having a reliable platform to sort truth from inaccuracy makes navigating today’s digital landscape far easier. Platforms that empower youth to think critically about the content they engage with are crucial in this fight against misinformation.
This growing issue is exactly what inspired me to create AuthentiCheck AI, a platform designed to help young people identify AI-generated content in real-time. Having seen how easily friends and family could be misled by manipulated media, I felt a responsibility to create a tool that could keep up with increasingly sophisticated AI. My own experiences with navigating misinformation, from seeing altered news articles circulated as facts to encountering AI-generated images and voices from public figures that created confusion, drove me to develop AuthentiCheck AI as a solution.
Building AuthentiCheck AI from the ground up was an extensive process. It involved in-depth research into AI detection methods, studying tutorials on integrating machine learning models into a single platform, and generating hundreds of realistic AI-generated text, images, and voices using platforms like ChatGPT, IMGCreator, and PlayHT. I rigorously tested these samples to train my models, refining the platform to ensure it was both accurate and accessible to young users.
With AI tools becoming more advanced by the second, we needed something that could analyze text, images, and even voices to detect whether the content has been manipulated by AI. AuthentiCheck AI allows individuals to verify what they encounter online, giving them the power to critically engage with digital content and ensure the information they're consuming is authentic. In a world where misinformation can spread at unprecedented speeds, it’s crucial to have a tool that helps us discern the truth. If you're interested in exploring how AuthentiCheck AI works and how it can help you navigate AI-generated misinformation, check it out here.
About the author:
Jessica is a high school junior from Miami, Florida, who is passionate about using technology to make a real difference in mental health and digital awareness. She’s poured her energy into creating Flip the Switch, an app that promotes the shift from negative to positive thoughts, AuthentiCheck AI, a platform designed to help young people recognize AI-generated content, and other projects. Jessica’s work combines her love for tech with a drive to help others feel more informed and supported in today’s digital world.