With the advent of AI, like everything technology, comes the good, the bad, and the ugly. Buttressing the point that no matter how great any invention could be, there’s always a downside; aka every advantage has a disadvantage.
I was initially skeptical of AI; please, don’t mind me – it stemmed from ignorance. But, I have since embraced it though still unsure if I’m ready for the autonomous cars and robots. Time will tell.
Why all these today? I’m glad you asked. Do read on.
The Good
According to the University of Cincinnati, “AI is simply about putting human intelligence into machines. The benefits of this are numerous and far-reaching. Here are 9 amazing examples:
- Enhanced healthcare
- Boosted economic growth
- Climate change mitigation
- Advanced transportation
- Customer service excellence
- Scientific discovery
- Enhanced financial services
- Improved agriculture
- Enhanced cybersecurity.”
In addition, AI has simplified processes and reduced time and costs for businesses. The benefits are varied across industries.
The Bad and Ugly
However, the bad and ugly side of AI is being felt in other areas.
Yesterday, several vlogs popped up on my YouTube feed regarding one of America’s top televangelist. I clicked on one to watch. It was uploaded five days ago. To say that I was devastated, after watching it, was an understatement.
According to the vlog, the televangelist, Kenneth Copeland, was arrested by the FBI in 2023 and was now sentenced to life imprisonment for various crimes. He is 88 years old and has been preaching for about 50 years.
If he was arrested in 2023, why am I just hearing about it? And why the sudden various uploads? That couldn’t be. So, I decided to fact–check it out.
I was glad that I fact-checked it and I found out that:
- the vlog lacked corroboration from reputable news organizations.
- the information appears to be part of a series of false reports, against Christian ministers, circulating online.
- According to Snopes, a reputable fact-checking organization, these claims are unfounded and have been identified as false AI-generated content.
After sighing relief, my next question was: Why would anyone be so malicious to start such propaganda?
False reports like this often stem from a mix of motives—some malicious, others simply aiming for clicks and engagement. But why get the clicks, engagement, and probably make some money off of other people’s expense? That’s callous.
5 Reasons for Spreading Misinformation
Here are a few common reasons why people spread such misinformation:
1. Viral Sensationalism – Outrageous headlines and shocking claims grab attention, drive video views, and generate ad revenue. Many fake news creators prioritize engagement over truth.
2. AI-Generated Hoaxes – With AI tools, it’s easier than ever to create realistic but entirely false news stories, including fake videos, images, and articles. Some do this purely for amusement, while others use it for deception.
3. Discrediting Public Figures – Some people have personal or ideological reasons for wanting to tarnish a celebrity’s or preacher’s reputation. Fake stories can be used to manipulate public perception.
4. Misinformation Spreaders – Some individuals don’t verify sources before sharing news, unintentionally spreading falsehoods. Many people see a sensational claim and share it without fact-checking.
5. Religious and Financial Controversies – Figures like Kenneth Copeland are already controversial due to prosperity gospel teachings and financial transparency concerns. Some may fabricate stories as a way to “expose” them, even without evidence.
“… Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...”
Luke 23:34a KJV
What recourse does the affected person have, if any, when such happens?
Spreading false information about someone, especially claims that damage their reputation, can be considered slander (if spoken) or libel (if written or published online). In cases like this, where false allegations of criminal activity are being widely circulated, the affected person does have legal recourse.
But, still, some character damage could have been done to the person, and indirectly to the family, friends, business, ministry, etc.
Legal Actions an Affected Person Can Take include:
1. Defamation Lawsuit – Kenneth Copeland (or anyone falsely accused) could sue for defamation, which includes both slander and libel. To win, however, the person would need to prove that:
• The statements were false.
• The statements were published or shared widely.
• The false claims caused reputational or financial harm.
2. Cease and Desist Letters – His legal team could send formal warnings to platforms and content creators demanding they remove false content and stop spreading misinformation.
3. Takedown Requests – YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms have policies against misinformation and defamation. The affected person can report false videos/articles for removal due to defamation or misleading content.
4. Public Statement or Legal Threat – Some public figures choose to address the misinformation directly, either in a press release, social media post, or legal warning.
5. Criminal Charges (in Some Cases) – While defamation is generally a civil matter, malicious and damaging fake news can sometimes lead to criminal charges, especially if it causes real-world harm.
Challenges in Defamation Cases:
• Public Figures Face Higher Standards – Since Copeland is a public figure, he would have to prove “actual malice”, meaning the person spreading the misinformation did so knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth.
• Internet Misinformation Spreads Fast – Even if one source is taken down, others may continue sharing the false claim.
If the person chooses to pursue legal action, s/he would likely focus on major platforms (YouTube, news websites, social media) rather than every individual who shared the misinformation.
Do Your Part
Many of us don’t corroborate information before posting about it. This is how misinformation spreads rapidly. It is always a good idea to cross-check with reputable sources, especially if it’s about another person, before posting!
I haven’t come across any detrimentally-published content about anyone on the WordPress. I would like to urge us all to fact-check, using Snopes or the X platform, before sharing any damaging content either here on WordPress or on other platforms. Thank you.
Concluding, while many are using AI beneficially, and making money from it; others are using it detrimentally and causing others grief. The sad thing is that by the time people find out that the vlog (or even, blog) is AI-generated, the bad deed would have been done. The legal recourse would now have to help clean the mess up.
Think-Talk 