The article discusses the pervasive issue of misinformation and disinformation in today’s digital landscape, emphasizing that it affects everyone. Jin Ha Lee, a professor at the University of Washington’s Information School, highlights the challenges in combating the overwhelming wave of bad information, exacerbated by AI developments.
Lee creates games, including “Euphorigen Investigation,” to educate people on recognizing and discussing misinformation. She explains that many individuals believe they don’t engage with or contribute to misinformation, but her games aim to change this mindset by illustrating that anyone can fall for misleading information.
Lee will participate in a panel at PAX West 2025 titled “Dungeons and Disinformation,” focusing on how games can serve as valuable teaching tools for disinformation literacy. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, also a lifelong Dungeons & Dragons player, supports using the game for collaborative storytelling and teaching players to uncover facts through various in-game checks.
Both Lee and Hobbs emphasize the importance of collaboration and finding common ground when addressing misinformation. They argue that fostering understanding, rather than just proving others wrong, can lead to more constructive conversations.
The article concludes by elucidating the difference between misinformation (accidental falsehoods) and disinformation (intentionally misleading information), stressing that both forms proliferate rapidly on social media platforms.
