In the age of AI, how do we ensure information sources are reliable? That was the burning question addressed in the latest PACES lecture series entitled „Being Critical About Information Sources“ held virtually on Sunday, 15 June 2025.
The online event was led by Andy Peñafuerte III, an independent journalist and seasoned media literacy advocate, and Dr. Reysa Alenzuela, Head Librarian at the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Their presentations tackled one of today’s most urgent challenges: how to critically assess the reliability of information in an AI-driven media landscape.
The one-hour session explored how AI tools, while efficient, also carry risks of misinformation and misinterpretation –especially when consumed uncritically. Participants, composed of current and past PACES scholars, teachers of the Department of Education in the Philippines and PACES officers., were introduced to key journalistic strategies and librarian perspectives on verifying facts and evaluating sources.
Misinformation, Disinformation and Malinformation
Mr. Andy Peñafuerte, whose work has been featured in GMA News, Business Mirror, and Al Jazeera, opened the online session, drawing on his broad academic and professional experience in journalism and global media to the conversation. He cited real-world examples and recent events to emphasize how misinformation can quickly spread and become viral.
He showed a video taken in the Hague in March where his conversation with a fellow GMA journalist was overheard, taken out of context, remixed and remixed again to sow confusion and anger. Andy explained that this example shows how information disorders are more pronounced today, leading to misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. The first — misinformation — is an unintentional mistake, he pointed out, but the other two — disinformation and malinformation — are fabricated to spread harm.
There is, therefore, urgent need for awareness and critical thinking when encountering online information sources. Some basic questions to ask include:
- Is the source fact-based?
- Is that publisher known for accuracy
- Did you see the current information or know when the post was last published?
- Did it cite sources or experts that are verifiable?
- Are the posts informative and do they engage your emotions?
Evaluating information in the age of AI
Dr. Reysa Alenzuela was unfortunately not able to attend in person because of connectivity problems but her video presentation was still presented to the group. In it, Dr. Alenzuela alluded to the daunting deluge of information we are faced with today, where much of that information is either prejudiced, inaccurate or unreliable. She pointed out the need for information literacy, as well as some techniques to identify correct information and check for misinformation and disinformation online, including artificial intelligence.
She introduced the concept of CRAAP Tests for assessing the credibility of information sources. CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. To apply the CRAAP Test to assess the credibility of the source, one need to ask these questions:
- Currency: Is the information up-to-date
- Relevance: Does it address your research needs?
- Authority: Who is the author or publisher?
- Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence?
- Purpose: Why was the information created?
The CRAAP Test should be part of our daily arsenal to check how reliable the information is and how to evaluate every thing that we encounter anywhere, she said. This applies as well to AI-generated information, taking account the prompt- and algorithimn-based nature of AI, and its lack of human expertise; its responses are mostly always based on data patterns rather than expert knowledge.
In conclusion, Dr. Alenzeula said that cross-referencing sources and using AI only as supplementary tools rather than sole information provider are effective measures in dealing with information accuracy.
Concluding notes
For the lecture participants in attendance, the webinar reinforced the importance of critical thinking and media literacy–particularly among those in the field of media and education. They gained insightful tips for dealing with information accuracy both in traditional sources like mainstream and social media as well as in the field of research.
At the end of the webinar, participants were better able to understand what reliable data sources are, and why it is important to be aware of consuming and sharing reliable data sources. These understanding could help them identify and use reliable data sources for their daily communication and interactions on social media.
Aside from sponsoring scholarships in the Philippines, another main activity of PACES is the lecture series on science and technology, aimed at getting experts and scholars in the field of science and technology to deliver lectures before its members and friends. As the ninth in a series, these lectures continue to provide opportunities for lifelong learning and academic enrichment for its scholars, members, supporters and partners across the globe.
For more updates on PACES events and STEM education initiatives in the Philippines, please check the PACES web site regularly.
— By Rodolfo M. Quevenco
