Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Combat Misinformation in the Digital Era
Minister Urges News Agencies to Leverage AI
KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has called on news agencies to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to combat misinformation in the digital media era. In his welcoming remarks at the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) 54th Executive Board Meeting (EBM) dinner, he emphasized the need to "fight fire with fire" in countering AI-driven threats in cybersecurity.
Malaysia’s Initiative in Combating Misinformation
Fahmi shared Malaysia’s latest initiative in combating misinformation, which includes the introduction of fact-checking AI chatbot ‘AIFA’ to combat fake news on WhatsApp. The chatbot was created following a survey that showed many Malaysians rely on WhatsApp for firsthand news. "And so we’ve decided that we will take the fight of misinformation on WhatsApp, directly on WhatsApp. We created this chatbot and people can engage with it, people can ask questions on it," he said.
Challenges Faced by Media Organisations
Fahmi also touched on the challenges faced by media organisations in this era, including the shift to social media as a news source, which has significantly impacted traditional media advertising. He noted that AI can play a crucial role in helping news agencies to enhance their content services and meet the evolving demands of new media.
Renewing Cooperation between News Agencies
During the dinner, Fahmi witnessed the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and two news agencies, namely Indonesia’s Perusahaan Umum Lembaga Kantor Berita Nasional (ANTARA) and Japan’s Kyodo News. The MoUs aim to renew existing cooperation between Bernama and the two news agencies, while also enhancing content services to meet the evolving demands of new media.
Conclusion
The dinner was enlivened by a cultural performance by Pentarama of the Information Department (JaPen), which showcased Malaysia’s traditions while conveying meaningful messages that resonated with society. Malaysia, through Bernama, is hosting the 54th OANA EBM over four days beginning Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA)?
The OANA is a regional organization that aims to promote cooperation and exchange of news and information among its member agencies. - What is the role of AI in combating misinformation?
AI can be used to identify and flag potentially false or misleading information, helping to combat misinformation. - What is the significance of the MoUs between Bernama and other news agencies?
The MoUs aim to promote cooperation and sharing of resources between news agencies, enhancing their content services and meeting the evolving demands of new media.