Secretary Blinken Emphasizes the Importance of Combating AI-Generated Disinformation for US Security at Seoul Democracy Summit - thediplomaticaffairs.com

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Article of the week Foreign Policy March 18, 2024

Secretary Blinken Emphasizes the Importance of Combating AI-Generated Disinformation for US Security at Seoul Democracy Summit

Photo: Reuters

At the third Summit for Democracy in Seoul, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the crucial role of fighting disinformation, particularly that propagated through artificial intelligence (AI), in safeguarding US national security and maintaining global stability. The summit, a brainchild of President Joe Biden, convened government officials, non-governmental organizations, and civil society representatives to address challenges to and opportunities for democracy worldwide. In his address, Secretary Blinken pointed out that the rapid proliferation of AI technologies has given rise to a new frontier in the dissemination of disinformation. AI’s ability to create convincing fake content, including deepfakes—hyper-realistic video or audio recordings that depict individuals saying or doing things they never actually did—poses a significant threat to the integrity of information ecosystems. This technology can be weaponized to undermine public trust, subvert democratic processes, and incite social divisions, with the potential to destabilize entire countries or regions. Blinken stressed that AI-generated disinformation is not just a domestic concern, but a global challenge with serious implications for international security. The spread of false information can escalate conflicts, weaken alliances, and disrupt diplomatic efforts. As such, the US considers the fight against this form of disinformation a diplomatic priority, seeking cooperation and concerted action from like-minded partners.

The Secretary of State outlined the multifaceted approach required to tackle this issue effectively. It involves enhancing the resilience of information spaces through media literacy and critical thinking education, fostering collaboration between governments and tech companies to detect and counter disinformation, and developing ethical guidelines for AI to prevent its misuse.

Furthermore, Blinken emphasized the need for a robust legal and regulatory framework both nationally and internationally to hold purveyors of disinformation accountable. This includes the potential for sanctions against individuals and entities that engage in or sponsor disinformation campaigns that threaten national security.

Transparency and accountability were also highlighted as key to the battle against disinformation. Blinken called for greater openness from tech companies in disclosing how their algorithms operate and how content is moderated, to ensure that AI is not inadvertently contributing to the spread of disinformation.

The summit also provided a platform for representatives to share best practices and to pledge mutual support for initiatives designed to enhance democratic resilience in the face of evolving digital threats. The discussions at the summit are expected to lead to actionable commitments from participating countries and organizations, as they recognize the vital interest in protecting their democracies from the new wave of digital deception.

Secretary Blinken’s remarks at the Seoul Democracy Summit spotlight the critical nexus between AI-generated disinformation and national and global security. The United States, as displayed by its diplomatic endeavors, is resolute in leading and collaborating on international efforts to mitigate the risks posed by this emerging challenge, ensuring that democratic values and truth remain foundational pillars in the age of AI.

By Paul Bumman

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