The Dark Side of Synthetic Data: Reality Gaps, Model Collapse and Hallucinative Analytics
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Data lies at the heart of our artificial intelligence revolution. Massive volumes of data hold the key to the generative AI analytical processes that induce artificial intelligence outcomes. Data are drawn from a wide variety of sources and, as a result, provide an amorphous whole. They are, with a measure of simplification, neither homogeneous, generic nor malleable! Nor are they always available to sustain an argument or complete an algorithm. This could induce reality gaps, model collapse and hallucinations. What are synthetic data and how do they emerge. And could they lead to what we label as dark side? This will be the focus on the following article. The article is qualitative in approach. It starts with an identification of the trigger of the problem and the emergence of the need for synthetic data. It then proceeds to define synthetic data, classify it according to a set of criteria, analyze its framework and draw its possible impact on reality status, model collapse and hallucinative analytical outcomes.
Author: MS S El Namaki
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411134481