The United Nations (UN) recently highlighted the “serious and urgent” threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes to information integrity, particularly on social media. In a report published on June 12, the UN emphasized that the risks of online disinformation have intensified due to the rapid advancements in AI technology, singling out deepfakes as a prime example.
The organization expressed the concern that false information and hate speech generated by AI appear convincingly factual, citing an instance where the S&P 500 experienced a brief dip due to an AI-generated image and a fake news report of an explosion near the Pentagon. In response, the UN has called for AI stakeholders to address the spread of false information and take “urgent and immediate” action to ensure the responsible use of AI.
Though deepfakes undoubtedly pose a threat to information integrity, they are also a testament to the powerful capabilities of AI technology which, when used responsibly, can yield numerous benefits and increase efficiency in a wide range of industries.
At a press conference held on the same day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the “alarm bells” over generative AI as “deafening” and noted that the concerns were loudest from AI developers themselves. As a result, the UN aims to create a Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms to be implemented voluntarily by governments, digital platforms, and other stakeholders.
On the other hand, former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and William Hague released a report on AI, suggesting that the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, and other allies should push for a new UN framework on urgent safeguards. According to Blair and Hague, AI could present “the most substantial policy challenge ever faced” due to its unpredictable development and ever-increasing power.
Despite the potential risks and challenges surrounding AI technology, both the potential benefits and alarming consequences cannot be ignored. Developing a responsible and well-regulated framework for AI technology is undoubtedly an essential step to ensure its widespread adoption and capitalize on its transformative potential, all the while safeguarding the integrity of information and reducing the risks posed by deepfakes and other malicious uses of AI.
Source: Cointelegraph
