Trust or Doubt? The Influence of AI-Generated News on Young Audiences in Digital Spaces

Abstract

The rise of AI-generated news raises questions about youth trust and credibility perceptions. This study surveyed 160 Pakistani youth to examine the impact of AI involvement on trust, perceived credibility, and the moderating role of source and topic type. Descriptive analysis shows that AI-generated news reduces trust and is perceived as less credible, accurate, and contextually rich. Trust increases when news is published by reputable sources or covers routine topics. Regression analysis confirms that AI involvement, credibility perceptions, and source/type differences explain 58% of the variance in youth trust. Findings provide practical guidance for media organizations, policymakers, and educators to maintain audience trust in the AI-driven news landscape.