British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden urged democratic nations worldwide to unite against the threat of AI manipulation by hostile states, jeopardizing free elections and propagating misinformation. At the Summit for Democracy in Seoul, Dowden unveiled plans for a groundbreaking international compact to combat the deceptive use of artificial intelligence in elections.
Hosted by South Korea, the Summit for Democracy, initiated by U.S. President Joe Biden, aims to address concerns about democratic regression and the erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms. While specific details of the compact are being finalized, Dowden revealed that several countries have already committed to the initiative, although he refrained from naming them.
Drawing parallels to the coordinated efforts of major technology companies in combating AI-generated deepfakes during the Munich Security Conference, Dowden emphasized the necessity for governmental collaboration to counter this emerging threat. He underscored the UK’s leadership role in spearheading a government-led agreement to confront the dangers posed by AI manipulation orchestrated by foreign adversaries.
Despite recent controversies in the UK, such as the dissemination of an edited photograph of Kate, Princess of Wales, Dowden emphasized that the proposed compact focuses solely on countering misinformation propagated by malign foreign states. He stressed that the compact’s objective is not to interfere with the internal politics of individual nation-states but rather to safeguard democratic processes against external manipulation.
Dowden highlighted the broader context of challenges facing freedom and democracy worldwide, noting the risks posed by AI manipulation alongside other threats. As democratic nations navigate these complexities, Dowden’s call for collective action underscores the urgent need for international cooperation to preserve the integrity of electoral processes and combat misinformation campaigns orchestrated by hostile actors.
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