WASHINGTON (March 31, 2026) – For centuries, April Fool’s Day has been a day of jokes and pranks going into the spring season. However, myths and misinformation are also spread during the holiday as well. An influx of fake news and announcements can easily be morphed into believable stories, especially as AI is used more frequently. It is essential to know how to spot misinformation and ensure the jokes stay harmless.
Experts at George Washington University are available to provide context and analysis on this news. To speak with an expert, please contact GW Media Relations at gwmedia.gwu.edu.
Misinformation
Ethan Porter is an associate professor at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs and of Political Science. Professor Porter's research has appeared or is forthcoming in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal of Politics, British Journal of Political Science, Political Behavior, Political Communication, and other journals.
Artificial Intelligence
Neil Johnson, a physics professor at the George Washington University, developed a mathematical model that identifies what he calls a “Jekyll-and-Hyde tipping point” in AI systems. His research shows that as an AI’s attention and processing become overstretched, outputs can abruptly shift from accurate and helpful to incorrect, misleading, or even harmful. Ultimately, this work could help build more trustworthy systems and help policymakers and the public better understand when and how to rely on AI tools.
David Broniatowski, professor of engineering management and systems engineering at GW, studies decision-making under risk, group behavior, and complex socio-technical systems. His research uses methods such as mathematical modeling, network analysis, and natural language processing to examine how information spreads and how people respond to risk in digital environments.
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