LLMs in Combating Disinformation: The Influence of Model Size on Fake News Detection in Brazil

  • Pedro T. Schettini UEL
  • Guilherme Possari UEL
  • Bruno S. Faiçal UEL
  • Rodolfo M. Barros UEL

Abstract


Disinformation and the spread of fake news have significant negative impacts across various domains, particularly on democracy, as they can be used to manipulate public opinion during electoral processes. Although the scientific literature presents studies aimed at detecting fake news, there are still considerable gaps regarding the Portuguese (Brazilian) language. In this context, this study investigates the hypothesis that the number of parameters in LLMs (Large Language Models) influences the detection of fake news. The results suggest that the hypothesis is valid. Additionally, other influencing factors were observed, as well as a performance limit inherent to the analyzed characteristics.

References

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Published
2025-09-29
SCHETTINI, Pedro T.; POSSARI, Guilherme; FAIÇAL, Bruno S.; BARROS, Rodolfo M.. LLMs in Combating Disinformation: The Influence of Model Size on Fake News Detection in Brazil. In: BRAZILIAN SYMPOSIUM IN INFORMATION AND HUMAN LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY (STIL), 16. , 2025, Fortaleza/CE. Anais [...]. Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação, 2025 . p. 723-727. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/stil.2025.37879.