PARIS: With elections due in countries representing half the world’s population and new technologies turbo-charging disinformation, 2024 will be a major stress test for politics in the age of AI.
2024 has been labelled a “make-or-break” year for democracy, with crucial votes due in more than 60 countries, including India, South Africa, Pakistan, Britain, Indonesia and the United States, as well as the European Union.
The first major test of how to survive an onslaught of AI-powered disinformation has already taken place.
Taiwan voters backed Lai Ching-te for president last week despite a massive disinformation campaign against him, which experts say was orchestrated by China.
Beijing regards Lai as a dangerous separatist for asserting Taiwan’s independence, and TikTok was flooded with conspiracy theories and derogatory statements about him in the run-up to the vote.
An AFP Fact-Check investigation found several such videos originated on Douyin, China’s version of the app.
How things pan out in other countries remains to be seen, however. Generative AI is threatening to exacerbate deepening trends of polarization and a loss of trust in the mainstream media.
Already last year, fake images of Donald Trump being arrested or Joe Biden announcing a general mobilization to support Ukraine have shown how far the technology has progressed.
The last, easy tells for fakery, notably, AI’s struggles with details such as fingers, are rapidly disappearing, blunting detection mechanisms.
And the stakes are high.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked disinformation as its number one threat over the next two years.
Undermining the legitimacy of elections could lead to internal conflicts and terrorism, and even “state collapse” in extreme cases, it warned.
AI-powered disinformation is being deployed by groups linked in particular to Russia, China and Iran, seeking to “shape and disrupt” elections in rival countries, said analysis group Recorded Future.
The EU elections in June will likely be hit by campaigns aimed at undermining the cohesion of the bloc and its support for Ukraine, said Julien Nocetti, a Russia specialist for the French Institute of International Relations.
It would not be the first time.
The “Doppelganger operation” launched in early 2022 used clones of well-known media and public institutions to spread pro-Russian talking points, particularly about Ukraine.
French authorities and Meta, owner of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, linked it to the Kremlin.
Paradoxically, repressive regimes could also use the threat of disinformation to justify greater censorship and other rights violations, the WEF said.
States hope to fight back with legislation, but they are working at a glacial pace compared to the exponential progress in AI.
The forthcoming Digital India Act and the EU’s Digital Services Act will require platforms to target disinformation and remove illegal content. Experts are skeptical, however, about their enforcement capabilities.
China and the EU are both working on comprehensive AI laws, but they will take time. The EU law is unlikely to be completed before 2026.
In October, US President Joe Biden issued an executive order on AI safety standards in October.
But critics say it lacks teeth, while some lawmakers fear that over-regulation will hamper their tech industry and benefit rivals.
Under pressure to act, tech firms have introduced their own initiatives.
Meta says advertisers will have to reveal if their content used generative AI, while Microsoft has a tool for political candidates to authenticate their content with a digital watermark.
But the platforms increasingly rely for verification on... AI.
“Automating the fight against disinformation doesn’t seem like the best way to understand hostile strategies,” said Nocetti.
Election wave and AI disinformation raise stakes in 2024
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Election wave and AI disinformation raise stakes in 2024
- 2024 has been labelled a “make-or-break” year for democracy, with crucial votes due in more than 60 countries
- Votes are expected in India, South Africa, Pakistan, Britain, Indonesia, United States, as well as the European Union
Lahore chamber of commerce sets up ‘War Fund’ amid Pakistan-India standoff
- Fund initially set up with Rs10 million [$35,683] with a target of Rs1 billion [$3,571,429], says state media
- Fears of a military confrontation between India and Pakistan loom large since Apr. 22 attack in Kashmir
ISLAMABAD: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has established a War Fund to express solidarity with Pakistan’s armed forces, state-run media reported on Sunday, as Islamabad’s tensions with New Delhi continue to surge.
The LCCI is one of the most prominent Pakistani chambers of commerce in the country. It represents the interests of the business community, both locally and nationally, with responsibilities including advocacy, trade policy representation and economic regulation.
The LCCI made the announcement as Pakistan’s tensions with India continue to surge following the Apr. 22 attack at a popular tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir which killed 26 tourists. New Delhi blames Islamabad for backing perpetrators of the attack, an allegation Pakistan vehemently denies.
“Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has announced to establish a ”War Fund” to express national solidarity with armed forces during wartime conditions,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad was quoted by Radio Pakistan as saying that the fund has been initially established with Rs10 million [$35,683], adding that they intended to collect Rs1 billion [$3,571,429] which would be achieved “very soon.”
Fears of a military confrontation between the nuclear-armed nations, who both rule the disputed Kashmir territory in part but claim it in entirety, have surged after Apr. 22.
Both nations’ forces have traded fire over the Line of Control frontier in Kashmir while diplomats have exchanged barbs and both countries have expelled citizens and ordered their land border shut.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the Indian military the “operational freedom” to respond to the Apr. 22 attack. Pakistan has since then conducted war exercises and vowed that military action from India would result in a “strong” response.
Several countries such as the US, China, UK, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and other Middle Eastern nations have called on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid an armed confrontation.
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to translate foreign investment into ‘tangible outcomes’
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar chairs meeting to review progress related to foreign investment initiatives
- Calls for streamlined processes, institutional coordination and fast-tracked implementation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar this week reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure foreign investment from friendly countries translates into “tangible outcomes,” state-run media reported amid Islamabad’s attempts to achieve sustainable economic progress.
Pakistan has looked toward regional partners and friendly nations, particularly Gulf states, in the past few months to increasingly attract foreign trade and investment.
At the heart of Islamabad’s efforts lies a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained the country’s revenues, triggered a balance of payment crisis and battered its economy.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reiterated the government’s commitment to provide all necessary facilitation to translate foreign investments into tangible outcomes for economic growth and prosperity,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.
Dar was chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Saturday to review progress related to investment initiatives by friendly countries across infrastructure, energy, petroleum and economic development sectors.
“The deputy prime minister emphasized streamlined processes, enhanced institutional coordination, and fast-tracked implementation of investment projects,” the report said.
To fast-track decisions related to international investment, Pakistan formed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in June 2023.
The SIFC is a hybrid civil-government body formed to attract international investment in priority sectors of the economy such as energy, tourism, agriculture, livestock, mines and minerals, and others.
Since it was formed, the government says the SIFC has helped it sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with several countries worth billions of dollars.
Karachi, Lahore to reignite ‘ultimate rivalry’ with PSL X clash today
- Lahore beat Karachi by 85 runs on Apr. 30 when the two sides last faced off
- Karachi beat Multan by 87 runs on May 1 in Pakistan Super League encounter
ISLAMABAD: Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars will reignite their Pakistan Super League (PSL) rivalry today, Sunday, when the two teams lock horns at the Qaddafi Stadium in an important clash of the tournament.
The Qalandars are placed at number three on the PSL points table, winning four matches from their eight fixtures. The Kings have also won only four matches from the seven games they have played and are placed at number four on the table.
Lahore had the upper hand the last time the two teams met on the field for the PSL X tournament, winning the encounter by 85 runs.
“Don’t miss the ultimate rivalry #LQvKK today at Qaddafi Stadium!” the PSL wrote on its official social media platforms.
The Kings will head into the match confident, having beat an out-of-form Multan Sultans squad by 87 runs on May 1.
The Qalandars have been in fine form as well, demolishing Islamabad United by 88 runs on Apr. 30 before their match against Quetta Gladiators on May 1 ended in a no result tie due to rain.
Qalandars have had batting success in the form of openers Abdullah Shafique and the explosive Fakhar Zaman while fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has fared impressively as well.
The Kings will look toward their skipper and opener David Warner, who has been out of form as of late, and Tim Siefert to deliver the goods.
The intense rivalry between the two franchises has been compared to the India-Pakistan and Australia-England cricket rivalry, with many also using the phrase “El-Clasico of cricket” to describe their clash.
The match will kick off at 8:00 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time.
Pakistan to hold key national security briefing for political parties today amid India tensions
- Pakistan has been preparing for possible military confrontation with India ever since Apr. 22 Kashmir attack
- Parties to be informed about preparation of armed forces and Islamabad’s diplomatic initiatives, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s information minister and military spokesperson will hold an important national security briefing today, Sunday, for representatives of various political parties amid Islamabad’s surging tensions with Delhi, according to state-run media.
Pakistan has been preparing for the possibility of a military confrontation with India ever since its tensions with its nuclear-armed neighbor skyrocketed last month. Delhi blamed Islamabad for being involved in a militant attack on Apr. 22 at a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.
Pakistan denied involvement and as India vowed to go after backers of the Kashmir attack, Islamabad vowed it would give a “strong” response to any military action by India.
“Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry will hold an important background briefing on the national security for representatives of all political parties on Sunday,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Saturday.
It said the briefing would primarily focus on the prevailing national security landscape, particularly concerning relations between Pakistan and India, and its broader implications.
Political parties will be informed about the preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces while information about ongoing diplomatic initiatives and Islamabad’s official stance on the situation will also be shared, it added.
“The statement said that the briefing, in the current situation, is a prime example of national unity and consensus among all the parties,” APP said.
As tensions surge between the two neighbors, their forces have traded fire over the Line of Control frontier in Kashmir while diplomats have exchanged barbs, expelled citizens and ordered their land border shut.
Pakistani opposition parties have in recent times become more openly critical of the military, which has been accused of being heavily involved in politics and the economy. The military denies the allegations.
However, recent tensions with India have turned bitter political foes into temporary allies.
When the Senate voted on an anti-India resolution last month, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party voted in favor, ensuring it passed unanimously.
Pakistan plans media visit to de facto Kashmir border to counter Indian reports of militant camps
- The trip has been organized by the information ministry and is expected to take place on Monday
- Information minister, military spokesperson will brief politicians on Pakistan-India tensions today
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to take local and foreign journalists to the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border separating the two parts of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, on Monday, following Indian media reports alleging the presence of militant camps on the Pakistani side.
According to the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the trip has been organized by the information ministry and was originally planned for Sunday. However, it had to be postponed due to a weather forecast predicting inclement conditions.
The media visit has been planned less than two weeks after the April 22 gun attack in Pahalgam, a tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, that killed 26 people.
Security sources say the visit will allow journalists to investigate claims made in recent Indian media reports identifying several locations allegedly used as militant camps.
“Journalists will be taken to all the areas mentioned in recent reports to independently verify the claims,” a security official said on condition of anonymity. “Pakistan rejects these allegations and considers them part of a propaganda effort.”
Recent Indian news reports named various towns and villages near the LoC and claimed that militant groups had vacated camps ahead of potential Indian strikes. Pakistani authorities have dismissed the claims of militant presence and camps as baseless.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry are also scheduled to brief leaders of Pakistan’s political parties on Sunday, said a report in Radio Pakistan.
“The high-level background briefing will focus on the current state of national security, particularly in the context of Pakistan-India relations and the implications of recent developments,” it said.
“Participants will be briefed on the defensive preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces, ongoing diplomatic efforts, and the official stance of the state on key issues,” the report added.
