Modern Era Mythmaking: AI, Conspiracies and The Digital Age

Abstract

As society becomes increasingly interconnected and algorithmically mediated, myth-making has not diminished but evolved. In this digital age, generative artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in amplifying misinformation and conspiracies, contributing to the construction of persuasive modern myths. This paper explores how AI technologies facilitate the creation and dissemination of misinformation, examining psychological factors, algorithmic influence, and the socio-technical systems that enable belief formation. Employing a qualitative methodology with empirical support from two case studies—Meta's Galactica model and GPT-2's news article generation experiments—the paper identifies critical vulnerabilities in public perception and trust in digital information. Drawing on updated literature and theoretical frameworks, we propose a multi-level strategy encompassing digital literacy, regulatory interventions, and machine-learning based detection tools to mitigate the risks posed by AI-driven myth-making. The findings offer vital insights for policymakers, technologists, and educators aiming to safeguard truth in an increasingly AI-mediated society.