Disinformation is the digital plague of our time. And with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation and dissemination of disinformation, a completely new dimension has been reached. The World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report has therefore declared AI-generated disinformation the number 1 global risk. Manipulated video, audio and text files are used as weapons to distort reality, exacerbate conflict and deceive people - for example, in tampering with elections. This poses a great risk that democratic principles will be undermined.
The new study by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Media Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa, based in Johannesburg, identifies the existing forms of AI-generated disinformation. It names actors and targets using concrete examples. It also presents measures against disinformation and lists concrete recommendations for countermeasures.
For the first time, the study compares the current challenges related to AI-generated disinformation in Europe and Africa. It was produced by two proven experts on this topic: Karen Allen from South Africa, and Dr Christopher Nehring from Germany. The two experts worked together for several weeks in Johannesburg last year.
Hendrik Sittig, Director, KAS Media Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa
“It is frightening how easy it is today to create photos, videos and audio files that cannot be recognized as fakes. We urgently need more enlightenment, media literacy and countermeasures. With our study, we are looking at both Africa and Europe for the first time. We are also considering possible joint initiatives and partnerships between our two continents. Let us learn from each other!"
Karen Allen:
“AI Technology comes with much promise and for Africa the prospect of accelerated development. But Artificial Intelligence poses a threat to democratic principles, so checks and balances are urgently needed to ensure the benefits outweigh the harms. I’m afraid that untamed technology could turn Africa into the scene of a global arms race in AI-driven disinformation.“
Dr Christopher Nehring:
“Our comparison of AI disinformation in Europe and Africa shows that AI is the new 'weapon of mass deception.' Artificial Intelligence is propelling disinformation into a new era – faster, cheaper, more widespread, and more convincing than ever before. Our study reveals that all forms of AI manipulation are already in use across Europe and Africa. Neither states, authorities, online platforms, nor tech companies are currently implementing effective countermeasures. What we’ve seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg - and a devilish promise for the future.”
The study will be available for download on 17 February 2025.
