IFEX's submission to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is part of an emerging area of IFEX work on the threats of AI-generated disinformation to freedom of expression and access to information, with ramifications for information integrity, democracy and equality.
“Although generative AI is still in its infancy, in the coming years it is likely to become more prevalent as a tool to bolster disinformation campaigns, particularly in times of tension, on an unprecedented scale. This could contribute to an environment of public mistrust that limits people from exercising fundamental enabling rights, including free expression, access to information, peaceful assembly, and association.”
IFEX has submitted a response to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee in response to the call for inputs for “a report on the impact of disinformation on the enjoyment and realization of human rights.” The final report will be presented at the 61st session of the Human Rights Council.
Our submission builds on IFEX members’ work to show how the rapid development and normalisation of generative AI threatens to escalate disinformation to unparalleled levels. AI-generated disinformation can quickly and easily interfere with democratic processes, manipulate public opinions and perspectives, and sow public mistrust in the media and other institutions. This has a destabilising effect on the ability to openly and freely exercise the rights to freedom of expression and information and can exacerbate the targeting of those from more vulnerable and marginalised groups and communities.
We examine how the weak infrastructure of social media platforms and lack of adherence to their own content policies have resulted in failures to address AI-generated disinformation on their platforms – despite their responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In contrast, civil society organisations have explored various methods of countering disinformation, in some cases using AI as a tool to push back. Our recommendations for States to effectively respond to this evolving environment include multilateral solutions and improving efforts to hold companies accountable.
You can read IFEX’s submission below.
