Determine the population scale of conspiracy-theory-related effects

Determine the size of the population affected by potential consequences involving beliefs in conspiracy theories arising from exposure to AI-generated disinformation.

Background

The harm analysis identifies potential consequences associated with AI-generated content that reinforces conspiracy theories. Although the report assesses the possible types and targets of consequences across the dataset, it cannot determine how many people would be affected in cases involving conspiracy-theory beliefs. The population scale of these potential effects therefore remains unresolved.

References

In 20 cases, where the potential outcomes involved things such as the effects of conspiracy theory beliefs, it was not possible to determine the scale of population who would be affected.

— AI-Generated Disinformation in the UK: Risk of Harm, Context, and Classification  (2610.06084 - Cunliffe-Jones et al., 5 Oct 2026) in Section 5, “Harm Analysis,” subsection “Scale of effects”