Trying to Find the Truth Needle in the Information Haystack

I listen daily to the radio. I like to listen to certain talk shows, and I will keep up with daily
events by looking at news stories and news websites. One of the reasons we started our
podcast Mission:Truth is that we can see daily just how hard it is to discern what truth is in
everyday life, especially when it comes to the daily news cycle. How does politics and the daily news help or hurt our ability in discerning the truth?

It is so easy to get sucked into the stress and uncertainty of which side of the aisle in politics has the correct idea about a certain issue. Then become passionate about the supposed correct idea and either debate, disregard, or belittle another person that believes that their view, which is opposite, is the correct idea. I have seen lifelong friends never talk to each other again because of a political issue. I have seen family members refuse to be in the same room because of political ideology and we have all seen the hate that can arise when someone feels their political beliefs are being attacked and they lash out physically in fear. The basic instinct in all this division is pride. You want your team to be right or to win no matter what the cost and it blinds you to the truth. If we set our pride aside and realize we don’t know everything, it makes life more peaceful. Using subjective truth as a reason to end relationships is also troubling. Finding truth in politics is difficult to say the least, but sometimes it is good to agree to disagree and move on.

It is also difficult to figure out the truth of many of the stories reported on by our daily news. We only get a short report or a short-written story on the details that the reporter gathered at that time the story was considered news and then we hear nothing else about that story and if we are interested in following the outcome of a story, we generally have no accurate source of concluding information. The only way we get closure is when someone takes it upon themselves, whether it be an independent journalist, or someone passionate about the story publishes their results for the world to see.

With the information we currently have access to, we can generally get a perspective on a
political view or a news story we are interested in and then we will fill in the blanks with
assumptions. However, this is dangerous in that assumptions can lead to prejudice and if we believe it to be the whole truth we can look foolish. It is always good to realize we generally never have the whole picture to identify the truth. It is good practice to make sure that if we hear evidence we have not heard before we plug it into the information we know is true and make sure that it fits with the story we already know. It’s basic investigation practices but so many of us don’t use this technique and end up creating a narrative that is not correct. Many take the incomplete picture as the truth, and it leads to individuals convincing themselves of something that is not true, but they will defend it even when shown it is not true. Which leads into the new tool of AI that in my view has more negatives than positives.

With the advent of AI and what can be generated, it is going to be almost impossible to discern the truth in politics and news. With current technology, it is easy to see what is generated by AI if you know what to look for, but as the technology advances, it will become more lifelike and will be able to mimic anything, and very difficult to discern from real life. Where are we to turn for answers? How are we to know if the information we are consuming is from a real person or completely AI generated nonsense to create a narrative to fool the masses.

Despite the general assumption that there is still good in humanity, the real face of humanity will always show itself. Humanity has never been good, and it has always thirsted for power. The only good that comes from humanity only comes from God almighty through humanity. There is nothing good in the universe but Him. That statement will create many different responses, but it is not up for debate.

With the power of AI, and the evil that lies within humanity, and the influence of the devil (and yes, he is real, just as God is) the future for the world is lining up for the events of Revelation very quickly. Those in power controlling AI will create a narrative to control the populations of the world and try to eradicate those people that will get in their way.

So, with this delightful view of the future why should we not worry? Because God is still in
control. How are we going to decide what is true in an AI infused future? It won’t matter if we are focused on the things that matter and not on those things which are just used to separate us, try to control our views, and keep our anxiety high. If we are His children and if you believe, live it. Love your neighbor as yourself and make the world a better place as best as you can.

To look at the future we are headed toward, I asked AI to write the paper below. If you want tools to help discern truth, check out our Mission:Truth podcast and remember, Keep seeking the truth and the truth will set you free.                                                                          

The Uncertainty of Truth in an AI World
Examining Epistemological Challenges in the Age of Artificial
Intelligence

Introduction
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way humans
process information, make decisions, and interact with the world. While AI holds
immense potential for societal progress, it also introduces profound questions about the
nature of truth. In an era where algorithms curate news, generate content, and even
simulate human conversation, the boundary between fact and fabrication becomes
increasingly blurred. This paper explores the uncertainty of truth in an AI-driven world,
examining the epistemological challenges, societal implications, and potential paths
forward.

1. Defining Truth in the Digital Age - Traditionally, truth has been conceptualized as correspondence to reality—statements are true if they accurately reflect the world as it is. However, the digital transformation has complicated this notion. With vast amounts of data, divergent sources, and the rise of synthetic media, truth is no longer solely determined by objective facts, but also by algorithms that filter, prioritize, and sometimes distort information. The subjective experience of truth, shaped by personalized feeds and recommendation systems, makes it increasingly difficult to agree on a shared reality. 
2. AI and the Generation of Uncertainty - AI systems are trained on massive datasets that often contain biases, inaccuracies, or outright falsehoods. As these systems generate text, images, and even deepfake videos, the authenticity of digital content becomes questionable. Furthermore, AI's ability to produce convincing forgeries poses significant risks: misinformation can spread rapidly, public trust in media erodes, and the distinction between genuine and artificial blurs. The uncertainty of truth is thus amplified by the very technologies designed to help us navigate information overload. 
3. Epistemological Challenges - At the heart of the issue lies a fundamental epistemological dilemma: How can individuals discern what is true in an environment saturated with AI-generated content? Traditional markers of credibility—such as authorship, institutional backing, and consistency—are easily mimicked or manipulated by algorithms. Moreover, AI systems themselves often function as "black boxes," making it difficult to trace the origin or rationale behind their outputs. This opacity undermines the transparency necessary for critical evaluation.  
4. Societal Implications - The uncertainty of truth in an AI world has far-reaching consequences for societies.  Democratic processes depend on an informed citizenry, yet misinformation and disinformation campaigns powered by AI can influence public opinion, polarize communities, and undermine trust in institutions. The spread of synthetic content challenges legal, ethical, and journalistic standards, requiring new frameworks for verifying authenticity and accountability. On a personal level, individuals may experience "truth fatigue," leading to cynicism, disengagement, or reliance on tribal affiliations rather than evidence.
5. Navigating the Uncertainty - Potential Solutions Addressing the uncertainty of truth in an AI world requires a multifaceted approach: Technological Solutions: Developing robust AI systems for content verification, digital watermarking, and provenance tracking can help authenticate information and detect forgeries. Transparency and Explainability: Enhancing AI transparency allows users to understand how conclusions are reached, fostering trust and enabling critical analysis. Media Literacy: Equipping individuals with the skills to critically evaluate digital content, recognize biases, and identify synthetic media is essential for navigating a complex information landscape. Ethical and Regulatory Frameworks: Governments and organizations must establish standards for AI accountability, content moderation, and the protection of public discourse.
6. Conclusion - The uncertainty of truth in an AI world is not merely a technological problem, but a societal and philosophical challenge. As AI continues to shape the way we perceive and construct reality, it is imperative to foster a culture of critical inquiry, transparency, and ethical responsibility. Only by confronting these challenges collectively can we preserve the integrity of truth in the digital age.