Misinformation as strategy: Epistemic consequences and the undermining of shared truth

Misinformation influences cognition—shaping memory, beliefs, attitudes, reasoning, and decision-making. While intentionally disseminated misinformation (i.e., disinformation) has long served persuasive functions, its strategic use to generate epistemic uncertainty has grown in prominence. Such strategic manipulation by incentivised actors serves to construct ‘alternative realities’ that undermine shared truth and institutional trust. This review analyses recent evidence on the direct cognitive and behavioural impacts of misinformation, examines the transformative roles of social media and generative AI, and considers broader epistemological consequences, including the erosion of truth norms and implications for democratic discourse. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated individual and systemic interventions that integrate psychological, technological, educational, and regulatory approaches to strengthen epistemic resilience and safeguard evidence-informed public reasoning and decision-making.