Linguist explains how AI makes fake news more credible
Phys.org
February 21, 2026
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Linguist Silje Susanne Alvestad has raised concerns about the increasing credibility of fake news generated by AI compared to texts written by humans. In her project "Fakespeak—the language of fake news," she examines the linguistic features of fake news in English, Russian, and Norwegian. Her research aims to uncover whether fake news can be identified through its unique linguistic traits, a critical question as AI technology becomes more advanced and widely used.
Fake news has become a significant issue in modern society, with its ability to spread rapidly and influence public opinion. Alvestad highlights that AI-generated content often appears more credible because it mimics human writing styles more effectively than traditional fake news created by humans. This raises concerns about the potential manipulation of information and the erosion of trust in media.
The linguist explains that fake news, especially when produced by AI, tends to use simplified language and repetitive structures to appeal broadly to a general audience. These texts often omit nuanced details and critical reasoning, making them easier to digest but also more
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/21/2026