A Facebook user attempted to use ChatGPT as evidence for the debunked chemtrails conspiracy theory, according to an April 14 report. The incident has drawn attention from fact-checkers and experts who say that both the conspiracy and reliance on AI chatbots as proof are misguided.
The topic is important because it highlights how artificial intelligence tools can be misused or misunderstood in public debates about science. Experts warn that presenting AI-generated responses as authoritative sources may spread misinformation.
According to AFP Fact Check, the user posted a conversation with ChatGPT online in which they claimed the chatbot did not reject geoengineering and described processes similar to those cited by supporters of the chemtrails theory. However, scientists have widely dismissed claims that aircraft are secretly dispersing harmful substances through contrails, with AFP Fact Check noting these clouds are simply condensation trails left by jets over decades.
Geoengineering research does exist but focuses on small-scale experiments aimed at mitigating climate change rather than secretive large-scale operations. As explained by Michael Thompson at the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering, “The chemtrails narrative describes something that isn’t happening: a secret, large-scale atmospheric spraying… These clouds are not part of a global conspiracy.”
Experts also caution against treating AI chatbots like ChatGPT as definitive sources. Tal Hagin, an information-warfare analyst and media-literacy lecturer, said via AFP Fact Check: “In many cases, [they] present claims with high confidence, but when asked for sources, they may hallucinate them, misrepresent them, or rely on material that lacks proper verification.” The Lancet has similarly warned about trusting chatbot-generated information without further verification.
As artificial intelligence becomes more common in everyday discussions and social media posts, observers say users should remain critical of its outputs—especially when dealing with complex scientific topics.
