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Real-Time AI FactChecker 2.0

We scroll, we consume, we assume. Misinformation isn’t just false facts , it’s the invisible overload shaping what we believe. To address this,

I designed a Chrome extension that makes fact-checking part of how we browse, not an extra step. Think of it like spellcheck, but for truth.

In version 2.0, I reimagined the system not just with Gemini as a backend engine, but as a creative partner, shaping how information is explained, visualized, and trusted. The AI explains its thinking, not just its answers, like a helpful co-pilot.

Type

• Web & Mobile UX/UI

• Predictive AI Fact-Checking

• NYU ITP 2024 Thesis

• Solo case study

Duration

Nov 2023 - Apr 2024

(6 Months)

What I Did

Product & Interaction design

Created a conversational AI-assisted browsing experience
Designed AI-driven user experience
Designed seamless interactive experience with generative AI
Conducted usability testing and iteration

Mentor's Testimonial

Yuliya Parshina-Kottas

Graphics and Multimedia Editor at The New York Times

"The way she's tackled real-time fact-checking here is really impressive.She's taken something that could feel complicated and made it surprisingly user-friendly, almost second nature, which is no easy task. The fact that she's built a tool that encourages people to think critically without feeling bogged down—that’s a huge win. It shows she really gets what today’s users need."

Sawad Brooks

Sr. Director of Product Design at Olo

"She's done an incredible job here. Every step in her prototype shows real thoughtfulness, making fact-checking feel straightforward rather than overwhelming. The way she's focused on keeping each feature purposeful and essential is exactly what builds strong user habits over time. It’s clear she's committed to truly valuable and easy to integrate into people’s everyday lives."

Problem

Where does our anxiety come from?

So my story started with the anxious feeling of scrolling through endless news, posts, and updates, unsure of what’s true. The more I looked into it, the more I realized that I wasn’t alone—many people want to fact-check but feel it’s inconvenient or overwhelming.

Despite the availability of fact-checking tools, users rarely take the extra step to verify facts. Why?

The challenge isn't just misinformation, it's the unnoticed overload shaping our perception.

Solution

Not just a fact, a full picture:

Real-time AI Fact-Checker Chrome extension, powered by Google Gemini

This solution began as a simple real-time fact-checker using the Google Fact Check API—a 1.0 version designed to surface quick, in-context verification.

But truth isn't always binary (like true or false). In the improved 2.0 version, I reimagined the experience using Google Gemini, not just as a backend tool, but as a creative collaborator.

Key improved features in 2.0:

01. A credibility score based on Gemini’s real-time analysis
02. A conversational summary explaining the reasoning
03. Related high-credibility articles for deeper understanding

Research

1) Data analysis of misinformation patterns

Using Python, I analyzed misinformation datasets to uncover recurring linguistic patterns and the psychological impact of misleading content.

2) Contextual UX & cognitive friction review

Reviewed academic research, industry reports, and cognitive science studies on misinformation processing and the effectiveness of existing AI-assisted fact-checking tools.

3) User behavioral analysis & interviews

Conducted in-depth user interviews to map fact-checking behaviors, cognitive biases, and the role of AI in influencing information trust.

4) Observational research on digital habits

Observed natural browsing behaviors, identifying unconscious interactions with misinformation and how AI interventions could seamlessly integrate into daily routines.

Big takeaways

01.

People value fact-checking, but when overwhelmed with too much information, they tend to ignore it.

02.

Fact-checking is most effective when it’s built into the browsing experience, not something users have to seek out.

03.

Instead of a simple “true” or “false,” showing a confidence scale helps users trust AI judgment more.

The Goal

How can we integrate fact-checking into everyday browsing, empowering users to critically evaluate information without the stress of uncertainty?

Ideation

Designing for the way we actually browse

We don’t stop to fact-check, not because we don’t care, but because it feels like a detour.
So I asked, "What if truth showed up right where we needed it?"

💡Creating Chrome Extension

Instant Access: Fact-checks appear in real time, without ever leaving the page.
In-flow Interaction: Designed to fit naturally into the way we scroll, highlight, and explore.
Low-Effort, High-Trust: One click, and users get credible, AI-powered insight.

1) Observation & User Testing

I conducted user testing to measure how people engage with fact-checking in different scenarios.

✅ Without fact-checking tool:

Users rarely fact-checked content when the process required extra steps.

✅ With fact-checking tool:

When fact-checking was visually embedded in their workflow, users were 3× more likely to verify information. Frictionless access led to higher engagement and increased trust in AI-assisted verification.

2) Paper Prototype

Workflow V1

(Utilizing Google Fact-Check API)

Work flow V2

(Utilizing Google Gemini)

Rapid Prototype

Validating Interaction & System Flow

To explore how real-time AI verification could actually feel in the wild, I built an interactive prototype using JavaScript, not just to prove it works, but to see if it flows. "Could trust happen in a click? Could AI earn credibility mid-scroll?" By simulating the full verification journey, I was able to map friction points, test micro-interactions, and refine the timing of AI prompts, all while keeping users in their natural rhythm.

Iterations & Improvements

Enhanced Feature 1.

Interactive trigger: Highlight to trust

I observed users naturally highlighting text while reading by integrating fact-checking into this subconscious gesture.

Enhanced Feature 2.

AI that doesn't just answer, it explains

The earliest version offered binary results, "true or false." But users wanted more, not just what to believe, but why it matters. In this evolved design, Google Gemini becomes more than a backend engine. It steps forward as a guide, offering layered, conversational insights that feel more like dialogue than verdict.

Confidence score: A credibility rating based on real-time AI reasoning.
Conversational summary: AI-generated details that read more like a conversation than a judgment.
Live source links: Direct access to high-credibility sources for deeper, self-guided exploration.

Enhanced Feature 3.

Control the experience, Customizable UI

In early tests, nearly half of users said the persistent UI elements made them feel visually overwhelmed, like the interface was trying too hard to be helpful. So I stepped back and asked: What does helpful actually feel like? The answer was "choice". Now, with a simple toggle, users can turn floating fact-check prompts on or off. It's not just about customization

Enhanced Feature 4.

Visual cues that make curiosity, not just conclusions.

Originally, the system gave binary labels, true or false. But trust isn’t black and white, and neither is truth. So, I created a dynamic credibility scale, designed with nuance in mind. Instead of handing users an answer, it gives them a signal, a gentle prompt to pause, think, and explore further.

Final Design Solution

Design System

Streamlined for Scalability and Consistency

1. Scalable AI-integrated components

→ Reusable design elements ensure frictionless integration across desktop and mobile platforms, maintaining interaction consistency.

2. Adaptive UX for cross-platform consistency

→ AI-driven fact-checking adjusts to different screen environments without disrupting user flow.

3. Inclusive & accessible design

→ Applied WCAG standards to optimize readability, interaction clarity, and AI-assisted accessibility.

What I Learned

This project started with digital anxiety, the quiet kind that creeps in when we’re overwhelmed but unsure why. In designing with AI, I wasn’t just trying to fix misinformation. I wanted to restore confidence, not in machines, but in ourselves. If we can make trust effortless, maybe we can rebuild it, one scroll at a time.

As I wrap up, I see immense potential for growth-enhancing functionality, refining UX, and deepening AI’s role in fostering critical thinking. But this is just the beginning. Addressing digital anxiety is crucial, and through this project, I’ve aimed to make fact-checking effortless and intuitive. Much like our daily check-ins—‘How are we feeling today?’—I hope this project sparks conversations about our digital confidence. By integrating real-time fact-checking into our browsing habits, we can navigate the digital world with greater clarity and trust.