AI-Podcast Misinformation: Testing Active versus Passive Inoculations

Realistic AI-generated audio content is a new format of persuasive information that can be used to mislead audiences. This study examined the cognitive impact of an AI-generated podcast falsely raising concerns about nanoparticles in sunscreen and tested source-focused inoculation strategies. Participants (N = 500) either received a neutral podcast (control), a misleading article, or a misleading podcast preceded by either a passive inoculation explaining how AI-generated information can deceive, an active inoculation that added an educational activity, or no intervention. The podcast and article produced comparable increases in misinformed beliefs. Only passive inoculation significantly reduced general trust in AI-generated information; while both interventions attenuated the podcast’s impact on beliefs, neither eliminated misinformation effects. Results demonstrate that AI-generated audio can influence health-related beliefs as strongly as text-based misinformation, and that brief source-focused inoculations can mitigate but not eliminate its persuasive impact. Findings inform interventions targeting emerging forms of AI-driven misinformation.