On July 6 at the Conversation festival LAMPA Prof. Inna Šteinbuka participated at the Discussion "The threat of artificial intelligence to secure information will not be stopped even by reliable media. Do you (dis)agree?"

The conversation was moderated by LSM.lv news editor Edgars Zicāns, and representatives of various fields participated in it:

• Jānis Sārts, director of the NATO Strategic Communication Center of Excellence,
• Inna Šteinbuka, head of the "AI4Debunk" project and professor at the University of Latvia,
• 14. Member of the Saeima, chairman of the Saeima Legal Commission Andrejs Judins,
• Kārlis Miksons, social media editor of the Latvian Television news service, member of the European Broadcasting Union's social media expert group,
• Podcast "Is it easy to be?" manager Kristiāna Grāmatiņa, whose professional activity is related to the field of information technology.

Key highlights:

AI's Role in Disinformation

AI technologies are increasingly sophisticated in creating and propagating disinformation, from imitating influential figures to generating realistic fake videos. This capability challenges our ability to trust what we see and hear.

Critical Thinking and Trust

The panel emphasized the importance of critical thinking. People who think critically and understand context are harder to mislead. However, even educated individuals can fall for conspiracy theories, highlighting the pervasive challenge of misinformation.

Human Perception and AI

Jānis Sārts from NATO’s Strategic Communication Center of Excellence noted that human brains, which are easily deceived by magic tricks, are similarly susceptible to AI-generated content. He stressed the need for using AI to counteract misinformation.

Legal and Regulatory Measures

Andrejs Judins, Chairman of the Saeima Legal Commission, discussed evolving legal frameworks to address AI in political campaigning and misinformation, including potential criminal liability for deep fakes during elections.

Educational Imperative

The panelists highlighted the necessity of integrating AI education into the school curriculum to prepare future generations to navigate and utilize these technologies effectively.

Collective Responsibility

Panelists underscored that while individuals must learn to critically analyze information, there is also a collective responsibility. This includes regulation of major social media platforms to curb the spread of misinformation.

Media and AI

The future role of media in an AI-driven society was discussed. Traditional media may need to adapt by integrating AI tools to maintain credibility and effectiveness in delivering accurate information.

AI4Debunk Project

Inna Šteinbuka informed the audience about the AI4Debunk project's goals. The project focuses on developing human-friendly tools to debunk disinformation, emphasizing the necessity of creating accessible and effective methods for the public to identify and counter false information.

Public Adoption of AI

A survey by research center "Norstat" and LSM.lv revealed that 44% of Latvian residents have used AI tools, with younger populations more likely to have engaged with these technologies. This indicates a growing familiarity and reliance on AI across different demographics.

Overall, the discussion highlighted the dual-edged nature of AI in media and information security, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that leverages AI's benefits while mitigating its risks through education, regulation, and critical thinking.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive--stils/tehnologijas-un-zinatne/08.07.2024-vai-varam-ticet-savam-acim-lsmlv-saruna-par-dzivi-maksliga-intelekta-era.a560669/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=news&utm_medium=Ebox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1mIhusk9oxFqTK3F14alBKDDnLjnceXVC4hGkftWYW8vDwgvrln6QnmcQ_aem_eQSMc2R4akXScpLt1QSaxw#Echobox=1720448285

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