AI-Powered Misinformation Identified as Top Global Risk

Upcoming Elections in Major Economies Could Be Undermined by Widespread Disinformation, Warns World Economic Forum

AI-powered misinformation has been identified as the top global risk, with societal polarization and extreme weather events following closely behind, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2024.
Nearly three billion citizens are expected to vote in upcoming elections in major economies, including India, Indonesia, the US, and the UK. The widespread use of misinformation could undermine the legitimacy of new incoming governments.
Open access to increasingly sophisticated technologies is fueling the disruptive capabilities of manipulated information, which is expected to amplify societal divisions, ideological violence, and political repression.
Singapore is investing in an online trust and safety research program, which includes a center focused on building tools to detect harmful content, such as deepfakes and non-factual claims.
The World Economic Forum calls for greater public awareness and education in AI and its regulation to address these risks.