Artificial intelligence powered Disinformation is on the rise

Posted 08 May 2024

2 min read

Artificial intelligence-generated fake audio and video clips have been reportedly used in recent national elections across the globe.
Disinformation is the intentional spread of misleading or biased information.
- Criminals, terrorist/extremist groups, and state-sponsored actors use disinformation to spread propaganda, incite confusion, or compel violence.
- Information technology has played a pivotal role in the spread of disinformation.

Curtailing Human Rights: It interferes with the right to freedom of thought and to hold opinions without interference. As fake news interferes with the free flow of correct news.
Weakening of trust in democratic institutions: The use of misinformation can substantially sway public opinion, influencing democracy or public policy.
Polarisation of society: Disinformation often seeks to polarize its target audience across contentious political or social divisions.
Digital violence and repression: Coercive use of information by non-state actors against its challengers often includes cyber-stalking, harassment, or Cyberbullying.

Technological solutions: Using AI and machine learning for identifying and filtering out false information.
Collaboration between governments, technology companies, and civil organizations for effective regulation.
Threat monitoring, and regular technological system updates
International cooperation: For sharing of best practices and intelligence.

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: It proposes that social media platforms are required to remove content that has been fact-checked.
Information Technology (IT) Act, 2008: The act can be used to penalize those who spread fake news through electronic communication.
Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023: Has provisions for fake news including through electronic means.