Steven Symes

Way back when I was in my undergraduate program, I was introduced to the book Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard, a French philosopher. It’s a great read that’s more on the difficult side, in part because it can lead one to question what’s real. Back when I was in my 20s and lacking experience, I didn’t entirely understand how such a thought exercise might be useful in life.

All these years later, after having a career writing both in journalistic and marketing capacities, plus having gone through a divorce where a mountain of lies were conjured up about me, among other life experiences, I have far greater appreciation for Baudrillard’s work.

But things have taken a scarier turn with the new generation of artificial intelligences. Many of them have become rather proficient at producing both audio and visuals which are hard to distinguish from video captured in the real world.

I’ve seen many examples on social media of famous people, including those who have had careers where they scrutinize the veracity of videos and other evidence in criminal cases, admittedly being duped by these AI productions.

I'm someone who prides themselves on being able to distinguish between AI and a real video. If there's a human in it, I can tell because AI can't perfectly capture humanity. There's always something off. Even the new stuff is pretty obvious

A lot of these new videos are getting…

— 9mmSMG (@9mm_smg) November 10, 2025

What’s real? How do you know if you’re being deceived or if a video is authentic?

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” – Matthew 24:24

So how do you know if you’re being deceived? As AI advances further, the lines between what’s real and fabricated will be blurred by people who don’t believe in the existence of absolute truth as they justify their deception.

Rather than lean into despair, as many who are seeing this inevitable trend have done, I would rather point out there is one provision out there to guide anyone through deception and help them navigate such trecherous times Christ foretold to his apostles two thousand years ago.

I’m of course talking about the Spirit. His whole function is to testify of the truth of all things. That likely sounds Pollyanna to anyone who hasn’t cultivated a relationship with the Spirit. But the strategy of relying on your logic and wits never was a good one; this brave new world we’re facing will make it untenable if you want to successfully navigate what’s ahead.

Image via Ray Bilcliff/Pexels