One‑Year Trust Tipping Point

The author forecasts that within 12 months, AI-generated audio, video, and text will be indistinguishable from authentic media for most people, erasing practical verification in daily life. He argues the main damage will land on social cohesion and individual psychology, not just on media accuracy. He sketches a response: professional 'reality custodians' to certify authenticity. — A time‑bounded trust collapse forces urgent choices on identity infrastructure, authentication standards, and legal rules for evidence and media before the window closes.