The Impact of AI on Disinformation or Misinformation in Science Communication

Dear Colleagues,

The advent of the era of artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming scientific communication, presenting opportunities and challenges related to the integrity of knowledge (Saeidnia et al., 2025). Authors such as Schäfer (2023) warn about the simultaneous competition of these technologies in both the dissemination of scientific information and the propagation of erroneous content. On the one hand, AI facilitates the synthesis of complex information, the creation of educational materials, and interaction with broad audiences, promoting accessibility and the understanding of science (Kessler et al., 2025). On the other hand, it allows for the generation of plausible but incorrect or inaccurate content, amplifying misinformation and disinformation in scientific and media contexts (Shao, 2025; López-Borrull & Lopezosa, 2025).

Although AI offers numerous benefits and applications (Butincu & Alexandrescu, 2023), its presence poses significant epistemological and communicative challenges. The automation of content generation and the influence of algorithms on the visibility of information force us to rethink the authority of science and the public perception of knowledge. The detection of misinformation generated by AI remains limited, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary approaches that integrate scientific communication, ethics, public policy, and technology (Monteith et al., 2024; Yee, 2025). Likewise, the expansion of AI encourages researchers to explore how these tools can be designed and regulated to minimize the risks and promote their responsible use in scientific dissemination.

This Special Issue is therefore conceived as a space for reflection on these issues and seeks to contribute to our understanding on how to preserve the integrity, transparency, and accessibility of knowledge in a context in which automated systems are transforming the production, dissemination, and validation of science and redefining the relationships between experts, the media, and audiences. We welcome original research articles, theoretical articles, case studies, and critical reviews addressing, among others, the following topics:

(1) scientific misinformation;
(2) the impact of AI on science communication;
(3) ethical considerations;
(4) AI policy and governance;
(5) digital communication and journalism;
(6) interdisciplinary perspectives.

References:

Butincu, C., & Alexandrescu, A. (2023). Blockchain-Based platform to fight disinformation using crowd wisdom and artificial intelligence. Applied Sciences, 13(10), 6088. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13106088

Kessler, H., Mahl, D., Schäfer, M. S., & Volk, S. C. (2025). Science communication in the age of artificial intelligence. Journal of Science Communication, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.22323/2.24020501

López-Borrull, A., & Lopezosa, C. (2025). Mapping the impact of generative AI on disinformation: Insights from a scoping review. Publications, 13(3), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13030033

Monteith, S., Glenn, T., Geddes, J. R., Whybrow, P. C., Achtyes, E., & Bauer, M. (2024). Artificial intelligence and increasing misinformation. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 224(2), 33-35. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2023.136

Saeidnia, H., Hosseini, E., Lund, B., Tehrani, M., Zaker, S., & Molaei, S. (2025). Artificial intelligence in the battle against disinformation and misinformation: a systematic review of challenges and approaches. Knowledge and Information Systems, 67, 3139-3158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10115-024-02337-7

Schäfer, M. (2023). The notorious GPT: science communication in the age of artificial intelligence. Journal of Science Communication, 22(2), Y02. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.22020402

Shao, A. (2025). Beyond misinformation: A conceptual framework for studying AI hallucinations in (science) communication. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.13777

Yee, A. (2025). The limits of machine learning models of misinformation. AI & Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-025-02324-8

Prof. Dr. Xosé López García
Prof. Dr. Bernardo Gómez-Calderón
Dr. Álvaro López Martín
Guest Editors

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• artificial intelligence
• science communication
• disinformation
• misinformation
• fake news
• digital media
• fact checking
• AI ethics
• governance
• communication and journalism
• disruptive technologies