Mia Krysa

With AI becoming an everyday occurance in many of our lives, it’s becoming more important to be transparent when running a business or a brand. As you’re scrolling through social media, it’s also your responsible to be media literate, so you can differentiate between what’s AI and what’s real.

What Builds Trust on Social Media?

We’re entering a time where a product photo might be AI-generated, a caption might be written by a chatbot, and a face in a video may not even belong to a real person. While AI can definitely be used as a tool in businesses, it should not be the end-all-be-all. Now more than ever, being human, honest, and transparent on social media is what sets people and brands apart. Ask yourself — have you ever read a caption that you knew was AI-generated, and it turned you off of that brand completely? Or what if a brand is dealing with a scandal, and they don’t address it online? Does that make you trust the brand more, or less?

We have to make authenticity the new standard. Show your face. Share the process, not just the product. Talk openly about what tools you use, including AI. People appreciate honesty, and when trust is built, the brand will grow. If there are issues, talk about them. When I worked in the restaurant industry, customers always loved the photos or moments shared in the kitchen or with the staff. The food would of course get lots of attention, but to mix up the social media feeds or encourage engagement, throw in a staff photo here and there!

Be a Smart Consumer of Content

On the other hand, as consumers of content, you need to stay sharp. Don’t take everything at face value. If something sounds off, it probably is. Part of being media literate in 2025 is being able to read something or see something, and understand if it’s real or not.

If You’re Going to Take Away One Thing, Let It Be This

If you’re a creator or brand, lean into your brand. Show your voice. Share the behind the scenes, and the raw moments because people do enjoy it. As technology and social media continue to evolve, we have to evolve our brands and businesses too. It’s okay to use AI, but use it strategically. Stay honest, transparent, and true to yourself and your brand.