In the post-truth AI era, knowledge institutions matter more than ever

A Tech Policy Press commentary argues that generative AI has driven the cost of synthetic content toward zero, and society is entering a "post-truth" era that disregards authenticity, making knowledge institutions more critical than ever. The article says technical solutions such as blockchain provenance, certification protocols, watermarks, and detection algorithms fail when the public does not trust verification institutions; universities, libraries, journalism, and science face financial and political pressure, while social platforms cut trust and safety teams. The author calls on platforms to subsidize journalism, support local news ecosystems, prioritize verified sources, and retain human oversight.