AI health misinformation is getting harder to spot. Canadians are falling for it, expert warns – CTV
March 04, 2026
Nearly nine in 10 Canadians turn to the internet for health information, according to a recent survey from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), but many of them are encountering false or misleading claims along the way.
As AI-generated images and influencers become more sophisticated, experts warn the problem is poised to grow.
“It’s really remarkable. They look incredibly real,” said Timothy Caulfield, a professor of law and public health at the University of Alberta. “And keep in mind, it’s only going to get better. These images are only going to get more realistic.”
Caulfield told CTV News Channel Tuesday that research consistently shows people struggle to distinguish authentic content from AI-generated fakes — even when they believe they can.
“We think we can tell the difference. We can’t,” he said. “And very recent studies tell us that when AI images are included in content, we’re more likely to fall for misinformation.”
