As artificial intelligence reshapes how information is created and shared, journalists and community members say it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate the truth from artificial reality on social media. That phenomenon is especially pronounced in the Hispanic community.

The data scientist and adjunct UF professor is one of several local researchers who say the systems behind AI can reflect bias in ways that shape real-world outcomes.

Los latinos reciben tratamiento para la salud mental a una tasa inferior a la de los adultos estadounidenses, en general. Hoy, expertos dicen que los ‘chatbots’ podrían llenar ese hueco — aunque la tecnología trae sus propias complicaciones.

Garcia’s 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, died by suicide in February 2024 after corresponding with an AI-companion chatbot, according to her testimony and a later lawsuit against Character Technologies, Character.AI’s parent company.

Latino people receive mental health treatment at a lower rate than U.S. adults overall. Today, experts say chatbots could fill that gap — though the technology brings its own complications.

Data indicates deepfakes are seeping into local communities, adding concern to child protection task forces.