Debiasing misinformation: how do people diagnose health recommendations from AI?
ISSN: 1468-4527
Article publication date: 29 February 2024
Issue publication date: 8 August 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined how people assess health information from AI and improve their diagnostic ability to identify health misinformation. The proposed model was designed to test a cognitive heuristic theory in misinformation discernment.
Design/methodology/approach
We proposed the heuristic-systematic model to assess health misinformation processing in the algorithmic context. Using the Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) 26 software, we tested fairness/transparency/accountability (FAccT) as constructs that influence the heuristic evaluation and systematic discernment of misinformation by users. To test moderating and mediating effects, PROCESS Macro Model 4 was used.
Findings
The effect of AI-generated misinformation on people’s perceptions of the veracity of health information may differ according to whether they process misinformation heuristically or systematically. Heuristic processing is significantly associated with the diagnosticity of misinformation. There is a greater chance that misinformation will be correctly diagnosed and checked, if misinformation aligns with users’ heuristics or is validated by the diagnosticity they perceive.
Research limitations/implications
When exposed to misinformation through algorithmic recommendations, users’ perceived diagnosticity of misinformation can be predicted accurately from their understanding of normative values. This perceived diagnosticity would then positively influence the accuracy and credibility of the misinformation.
Practical implications
Perceived diagnosticity exerts a key role in fostering misinformation literacy, implying that improving people’s perceptions of misinformation and AI features is an efficient way to change their misinformation behavior.
Social implications
Although there is broad agreement on the need to control and combat health misinformation, the magnitude of this problem remains unknown. It is essential to understand both users’ cognitive processes when it comes to identifying health misinformation and the diffusion mechanism from which such misinformation is framed and subsequently spread.
Originality/value
The mechanisms through which users process and spread misinformation have remained open-ended questions. This study provides theoretical insights and relevant recommendations that can make users and firms/institutions alike more resilient in protecting themselves from the detrimental impact of misinformation.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2023-0167
Keywords
Citation
Shin, D., Jitkajornwanich, K., Lim, J.S. and Spyridou, A. (2024), "Debiasing misinformation: how do people diagnose health recommendations from AI?", Online Information Review, Vol. 48 No. 5, pp. 1025-1044. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-04-2023-0167
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited