Artificial Intelligence and Disinformation: Examining challenges and solutions

An array of experts has contributed deep insight into how artificial intelligence is impacting on the way information is being produced, disseminated and consumed, thus reshaping the communications landscape. They joined a panel on 5 March, in the framework of Mobile Learning Week at UNESCO HQ in Paris, for a dedicated workshop on the subject. Guy Berger, Director for Freedom of Expression and Media Development at UNESCO, opened the discussion by describing the problem of disinformation by drawing on definitions of the Council of Europe and the European Union. This perspective sees disinformation as content that is deliberately and intentionally fabricated, not true nor verifiable, and which is produced with the intention of making a profit, and/or pushing a certain ideological or political agenda. Through social media algorithms, micro-targeting and persuasion, the dissemination of'deep fakes', AI-generated content and automated trolling, artificial intelligence evidently plays a crucial role in the rapid spread of disinformation.