Results for: Disinformation

Microsoft President Brad Smith has expressed concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) being used to spread disinformation in the upcoming European Parliamentary elections.

Smith revealed that Microsoft has invested heavily in AI infrastructure in Sweden to tackle the issue, while acknowledging the growing use of AI-generated deepfakes in elections globally, including in India, the United States, Pakistan, and Indonesia. However, he noted that Microsoft has not detected any significant attempts to exploit AI in the European Parliamentary elections.

Despite the lack of widespread abuse, Smith urged caution, stating that the situation is ongoing and that premature declarations of victory would be unwarranted. He also highlighted the potential threat posed by deepfake videos, citing instances during India’s general election and a debunked Russian-language video circulated ahead of the European Parliament election.

Smith also mentioned the focus of Russian efforts on the Olympics and hinted at an upcoming report addressing related concerns.

France has called on social media platforms to heighten their vigilance against online disinformation in the lead-up to the European Parliament elections in June. Minister for Europe Jean-Noel Barrot expressed concerns about potential voter abstention and foreign interference, particularly from Russia, and urged the European Commission to assist in holding platforms accountable. The government has launched a media campaign to encourage voter turnout, while a new agency, VIGINUM, has been established to detect disinformation.

Bob Graham, the late Florida senator and governor, has passed away at 87. Throughout his career, he was known as a man of courage and principle. He was one of the few senators to oppose the Iraq War in 2002, even though it was an unpopular position at the time. He warned that the invasion would be a costly mistake and would distract from the fight against terrorism. His words have since been proven true, with the war costing thousands of lives and trillions of dollars. Graham’s legacy is one of standing up for what he believed in, even when it was difficult. He was a true profile in courage, and his example should inspire us all to speak out against injustice and war.

Nina Jankowicz, former head of the Biden administration’s defunct ‘Disinformation Governance Board,’ has launched a new nonprofit, The American Sunlight Project, to tackle the spread of misinformation undermining democracy. Despite its claimed bipartisan nature, the initiative raises concerns about government censorship and the influence of political operatives. Jankowicz’s past statements and affiliation with organizations promoting misleading narratives have drawn criticism.