Disinformation 2.0: A Holistic Approach to Investigating Digital Fraud in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Abstract: The phenomenon of disinformation is not new; its origins date back to antiquity. However, in the era of mass digitalization and rapid advancements in intelligent technologies, it continues to evolve, reaching a new form of informational aggression known as Disinformation 2.0. This complex network transforms and amplifies classical propaganda techniques through automated systems, algorithmically managed networks, and generative models. In this context, the concept of media forensics emerges as a particularly valuable interdisciplinary approach that integrates elements of investigative and data journalism, digital forensics, and cognitive psychology. Bulgaria has proven to be highly vulnerable to the proliferation of disinformation, especially when enhanced by artificial intelligence. Therefore, the effectiveness of widely accessible and reliable tools for content detection in low-resource languages, as well as the specialized training of media professionals in the country to apply advanced and multimodal techniques for identifying deepfake content, is of critical importance.