“I just saw a video on the computer about a ‘60 Minutes’ presentation and referring to an AARP article about a Japanese scientist who said that Alzheimer’s disease was caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. Was that AI-created, or was it a fact?”

That was the question I  asked.

Not because I believed it.

As a medical microbiologist who spent more than 40 years teaching physician assistant and nursing students, I’ve learned that when a medical discovery sounds too good—or too shocking—to be true, it’s time to ask questions.

What surprised me wasn’t the claim. It was how convincing the video looked.

It had all the ingredients of a legitimate television news report: polished graphics, confident narration, professional editing and references to trusted names like “60 Minutes” and the 60 Minutes presentation as well as the trusted AARP magazine. Without knowing better, I might have assumed it was genuine.

Welcome to the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

AI has reached the point where it can create videos so realistic that many viewers can’t tell the difference between fact and fiction. It can imitate the style of major news organizations, produce believable voices, and even create newscasters who appear completely authentic.

The danger isn’t simply that AI can invent stories. The real problem is that it often starts with a grain of truth.

Scientists really are studying whether infections—including the parasite Toxoplasma gondii—might play some role in Alzheimer’s disease. That’s legitimate scientific research. But there is an enormous difference between saying researchers are investigating a possible connection and declaring that someone has discovered the actual cause of Alzheimer’s.

That leap is where misinformation begins.

Unfortunately, sensational claims spread much faster than careful science. “Possible link under investigation” doesn’t attract millions of viewers. “Scientists Discover the Real Cause of Alzheimer’s!” certainly does.

During my years in the classroom, I constantly reminded students that science isn’t based on headlines. It’s based on evidence. One study leads to another. Findings are repeated by independent researchers. Questions are challenged. Conclusions are revised. That’s how good science works.

The internet works differently.

The internet rewards excitement.

AI rewards speed.

And together they can create a perfect storm of misinformation.

So, what can we do?

First, be skeptical whenever you hear phrases like “Doctors don’t want you to know,” “The real cause has finally been discovered,” or “Everything you’ve been told is wrong.”

Second, check whether several respected medical organizations are reporting the same story. Truly important discoveries don’t stay hidden. They appear in medical journals, university announcements, and reputable news outlets around the world.

Third, remember that logos, familiar graphics, and even recognizable faces and voices can now be copied. Just because something looks like a respected news program doesn’t mean it came from one.

Finally, don’t be embarrassed to ask questions. Curiosity is one of the best defenses against misinformation.

Artificial intelligence is an amazing technology. It is already helping physicians diagnose diseases, assisting researchers in analyzing enormous amounts of data, and improving countless aspects of medicine. Used responsibly, it can be a tremendous force for good.

But like every powerful invention it can also be used to deceive.

Perhaps the newest skill we all need to learn isn’t how to use AI.

It’s how not to be fooled by it.

Years ago, many of us believed something simply because we saw it on television. Today, seeing is no longer believing.

So the next time a familiar-looking newscaster announces a miracle cure, a shocking discovery, or a secret the medical profession has supposedly hidden for decades, remember this:

Even if it looks like “60 Minutes,” sounds like “60 Minutes,” and has all the excitement of “60 Minutes”...it may have been created in 60 seconds by a computer.

And if you think you’ve just seen your famous and respected newscaster breaking the news, don’t worry.

They are probably as astounded as I was.

Michael Kossove is professor emeritus and an adjunct professor of microbiology at Touro University’s School of Health Sciences. He is a polio researcher and the author of “Polio Post-Polio and the Survivors.”