Disinformation Trends Show Shift in Focus as AI-Generated Content Hits Record High

European fact-checkers observed a notable shift in disinformation trends during October 2025, with immigration, the Gaza crisis, and Ukraine emerging as the primary targets for false information campaigns across the continent.

According to the latest report from the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) fact-checking network, 32 participating organizations published a total of 1,722 fact-checking articles last month. Of these, 8% focused on immigration-related falsehoods, representing a one percentage point increase from September.

False narratives surrounding the ongoing crisis in Gaza accounted for 7% of fact-checks, up two percentage points from the previous month. Meanwhile, Ukraine-related disinformation showed a notable decline, dropping three percentage points to 6% of total fact-checks.

The European Union itself remained a significant target, with EU-related disinformation comprising 6% of the network’s fact-checking efforts. Climate change misinformation (4%), COVID-19 falsehoods (2%), and disinformation about LGBTQ+ and gender issues (2%) rounded out the major categories identified in the report.

Perhaps most concerning among the findings was the unprecedented rise in AI-generated disinformation. The EDMO report revealed that 210 fact-checking articles addressed synthetic content created using artificial intelligence tools, representing a record 12% of all fact-checks produced in October.

Media analysts attribute this surge to the proliferation of generative AI software throughout the year, with bad actors increasingly leveraging these technologies to create convincing but false content. Based on the trends observed in previous months, experts expect this share to continue growing.

“We’re seeing AI being weaponized across multiple fronts,” said one disinformation researcher who studies the phenomenon. “From creating emotional clickbait to manufacturing evidence for existing conspiracy theories, generative AI has lowered the barrier to entry for sophisticated disinformation campaigns.”

The report highlights several motivations behind AI-generated falsehoods. Many creators focus on producing what experts call “AI slop” – emotionally manipulative or sensationalist content designed to maximize engagement and monetization across social media platforms. These often feature fabricated scenarios of people or animals rescuing babies from dangerous situations, exploiting human empathy for profit.

Another common use involves creating visual “evidence” for real-world events, such as generating fake footage of the recent theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris or fabricating images of hurricane damage. In some cases, AI-generated content is deployed specifically to enhance the credibility of fraudulent schemes.

The report also details how AI tools are being weaponized to support established disinformation narratives. Examples include synthetic videos targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and falsified footage of Polish soldiers claiming Ukrainian responsibility for drone incursions into Polish airspace in September.

Anti-immigration and Islamophobic narratives have similarly been amplified through AI technology. The report cites examples including fabricated videos of young people criticizing German migration policies and a synthetic clip purporting to show a French police officer performing Islamic prayers inside the Paris metro.

The EDMO network’s findings underscore the evolving challenges facing fact-checkers, journalists, and media literacy advocates as disinformation tactics continue to advance. While traditional text-based falsehoods remain prevalent, the rapid growth of AI-generated content presents new verification challenges that require specialized detection tools and heightened public awareness.

As generative AI technology becomes more sophisticated and accessible, European authorities and digital platforms face mounting pressure to develop effective countermeasures while balancing concerns about censorship and free expression.

The full EDMO monthly brief, containing additional details and examples, is available through the organization’s official website.