In 2025, artificial intelligence has emerged as a dominant influence in reshaping how people engage with digital media, with AI-generated content becoming increasingly prevalent. Particularly notable is the rise of short, AI-created videos that flood online platforms, altering perceptions of reality and truth in the digital realm.
Journalists Geoff Brumfiel and Shannon Bond of NPR have dedicated considerable time this year to immersing themselves in this expanding AI landscape. Their exploration has brought to light the challenges and nuances involved in navigating a digital environment where synthetic media blurs the lines between fact and fiction. They have collaborated extensively with host Scott Detrow, engaging in dialogues that dissect key developments of the year and equip audiences with tools to discern genuine media from fabricated content.
The widespread dissemination of AI-generated videos highlights how these technologies are no longer peripheral but central to contemporary online experiences. This proliferation of content, often colloquially described as "slop" due to its unfiltered and sometimes indiscriminate nature, signals an enduring shift in how information and entertainment are produced and consumed online.
By delving into this "slop," NPR’s reporting underscores the importance of critical media literacy and the need for heightened vigilance in assessing the authenticity of digital content. Their analyses provide a framework to understand the technological underpinnings of AI-generated media and the societal implications arising from its integration into everyday online encounters.
The presenters stress that despite the prevalence of deceptively realistic AI content, it is essential to maintain a clear-eyed approach to evaluating digital information. Efforts to draw attention to both the innovation and potential pitfalls of AI-generated media aim to inform listeners and encourage a responsible engagement with these new technologies.
Overall, 2025 stands as a pivotal year marking the entrenchment of artificial intelligence in reshaping online realities, demanding a delicate balance between embracing innovation and safeguarding the integrity of information.
For those interested in accessing sponsor-free content and detailed discussions on these topics, NPR offers Consider This+ through Apple Podcasts or their online platform, providing expanded coverage and insights into the evolving AI landscape.
Production Credits: This reporting was produced by Elena Burnett and Daniel Ofman, with editing by Brett Neely, John Ketchum, and Courtney Dorning. The executive producer overseeing the project is Sami Yenigun.