Addressing Democratic Threats in Public Communication

“Weaponized AI: A New Era of Threats and How We Can Counter It" AI has rapidly evolved from a tool for innovation to a potential threat that poses a challenge to global security and democratic institutions. In a new article, Dr. Shlomit Wagman highlights the diverse risks posed by AI and suggests a comprehensive framework to address these challenges. The Expanding Landscape of AI-Driven Threats: The accessibility and scalability of AI have lowered the barriers for malicious actors to conduct sophisticated cyberattacks, spread misinformation, and exploit societal vulnerabilities. Key areas of concern include: - Psychological warfare and misinformation: AI-generated deepfakes and targeted disinformation campaigns can fabricate events, incite panic, and escalate international tensions before verification is possible. - Election interference: AI tools can manipulate political discourse by creating false narratives, altering public records, and misrepresenting candidates, thereby eroding trust in election processes. - Cybercrime and financial fraud: Advanced AI models enable the creation of hyper-personalized phishing campaigns and deepfakes that can evade security measures, resulting in significant economic losses. - Critical infrastructure: AI can automate the identification and exploitation of vulnerabilities in defense systems and critical infrastructure, facilitating rapid and adaptive cyberattacks that surpass human capabilities. A Global Framework for AI Safety and Security: As AI capabilities grow, so do the associated risks, ranging from misinformation and fraud to threats against national security and democratic institutions. To tackle these challenges while encouraging innovation, we need a globally coordinated strategy: - International governance: Similar to how the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standardizes global financial integrity, we require a comparable model for AI. This would involve setting enforceable, cross-border safety standards, along with independent audits and consistent compliance mechanisms. - Market incentives: Despite the billions invested in AI development, safety remains underfunded. We need financial incentives and public-private partnerships to develop tools for deepfake detection, adversarial testing, and fraud prevention systems. - Public awareness: Strengthening digital literacy and public resilience is vital. We must equip society to recognize and respond to AI-driven manipulation, particularly in areas such as elections, financial scams, and impersonation. - Regulatory action: We need global, enforceable AI regulations to close security gaps and ensure fair competition while aligning safety efforts worldwide. When a new technology emerges, we often feel the need to "reinvent the wheel." What I particularly appreciate about this article is that it highlights existing frameworks, such as the FATF, which can be adjusted and utilized as models for standards, regulation, and cooperation.

Thrilled to share a brand new policy brief by my colleague Courtney Radsch, PhD and me on the threats that concentrated platform power poses to free speech and democracy in Europe. Published to coincide with a major conference we are hosting today in Brussels (which you can follow online if you aren't joining us in person), our paper challenges head on the Trump administration's attacks on EU tech legislation under the guise of protecting free speech. We argue that these attacks are designed to protect and deepen the dominance of American tech corporations abroad, while serving as a smokescreen that distracts from the very real power these platforms enjoy over free speech, thought and debate in Europe and around the world. As we make clear, this isn't just a trade dispute — it’s a struggle over who governs the information infrastructure that underpins democracy itself. If Europe backs down, it will hand permanent control of this infrastructure to unaccountable foreign monopolies and their political allies in Washington, and send a dangerous signal to other democracies grappling with the same existential threats. Our brief also makes a series of policy recommendations, including eliminating algorithmic amplification and empowering users to decide what they see online, restructuring markets to limit concentration of power over information flows, building genuine European alternatives to dominant U.S. communications platforms, and giving citizens real choice over where they get information through genuine data portability and interoperability. Link to the full paper in the comments.

Fiji, a country known for its close-knit communities, is increasingly seeing its social cohesion threatened by a surge of online hate speech, from racism and misogyny to homophobia and targeted abuse. With over 500,000 Fijians on Facebook, social media has become both a lifeline and a battleground. My fellow Commissioner Rachna Nath and I argue that digital hate is not “just online”. It spills into real life, feeding old divisions and undermining peace. In this article published in Fiji today, we highlight: • Inadequacies in current legislation, particularly the Online Safety Act 2018, which lacks the enforcement power needed to address rising online abuse. • The need for stronger, balanced laws, modeled after New Zealand’s Harmful Digital Communications Act, that protect people without stifling free speech. • The responsibility of tech platforms, especially Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram), to moderate content appropriately in Fiji’s unique linguistic and cultural context. • The importance of community-based responses, like digital literacy in schools, support for victims, and responsible use of platforms by influencers, media, and faith leaders. • The role of international support and civil society collaboration in tackling the problem. Ultimately, we call for collective action: a national commitment to protect Fiji’s peace and unity in the face of digital threats. Peace is a shared responsibility, and fighting hate online is a critical part of safeguarding Fiji’s social cohesion and democratic future.

Dear Network, The recent revelations by CORRECTIV about a secret meeting of high-ranking AfD politicians, #Neonazis, and financially strong entrepreneurs in Potsdam are more than just disturbing. They are a wake-up call. We are faced with a crucial question: how do we as a society react to such dangerous and anti-democratic tendencies? As someone who has witnessed the division of our society first-hand in recent years, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, I can no longer remain silent. The plans to expel millions of people from Germany, regardless of their passport, are a direct attack on our constitution and the values it stands for. Here are concrete actions we should all take: 1. educate: We need to inform the public about these serious threats to our democracy. Share reliable reports and facts to raise awareness. 2. strengthen community: It is time to strengthen local communities and stand up for diversity and tolerance. Support organizations and initiatives working against right-wing extremism. 3. political participation: Active participation in political processes is essential. Vote for democratic parties and engage in political discussions to push back extremist ideologies. 4. conduct an open dialog: We must also have conversations with those who disagree with us. Only through understanding and exchange can we break down prejudices and find common solutions. 5. take a public stand: We must not hesitate to raise our voices against extremist and racist ideas. Every post, every comment, and every discussion we have helps to send a strong signal against hate and division. The situation is serious. What happened at this meeting in Potsdam shows that extremist ideologies and plans to undermine our democratic values and principles are not just theoretical scenarios, but real and present threats. We must not remain silent. Each of us has a voice and the opportunity to stand up for the values that should characterize our coexistence: Respect, tolerance, and an unwavering commitment to democracy. Let us act together. Let's show that we stand for an open, diverse, and democratic society. We can and must make a difference. #ProtectDemocracy #ActTogether #CounterExtremism

Democracy's Decline: The Hidden Threat to Your Career Democracy isn't just politics. It's economic infrastructure. As democratic institutions weaken globally, your career opportunities silently erode. I'm hearing these concerns daily across my client base. Federal workers, startup founders, and corporate professionals are all voicing anxiety about recent shifts in U.S. leadership. From alignment with authoritarian regimes to threats against civil service independence and protected classes, these aren't just political issues; they're workplace disruptions with immediate consequences. The professional impact of democratic decline: •      Investment Hesitancy: Political uncertainty stalls hiring and growth. •      Regulatory Whiplash: Unpredictable policy changes disrupt business planning. •      Innovation Gap: Short-term political gains replace investments in future skills. •      Public Service Erosion: Essential jobs and services gradually disappear. This transcends partisanship. It's about economic stability. Bold actions to protect your career through democratic engagement: •      Organize workplace democracy discussions that connect political stability to industry health. •      Leverage professional networks to amplify voices defending civil service independence. •      Support legal challenges to policies threatening workplace protections and equal opportunity. •      Build solidarity across industries threatened by democratic backsliding. •      Consider democracy impacts in your career planning and company selection. What price might your career pay for democratic decline? And what are you prepared to do about it? #CareerStrategy #FutureOfWork #CareerCoach #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkplaceImpact  #DemocracyMatters

The 1st Report of Session 2024–25 from the UK House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, titled "The Future of News", delves into the evolving media landscape and its implications for #democracy, #publictrust, and #media sustainability.#GenerativeAI's dual role as both an opportunity and a threat to the #mediaecosystem is a central theme. One of the report's key concerns is the rise of news deserts, where the decline of local journalism results in significant information gaps within communities. This trend, coupled with a sharp decline in trust towards #traditionalnews outlets, exacerbates public disengagement, with growing numbers of people avoiding news altogether. Furthermore, the report warns of the increasing fragmentation of the media environment, a development that risks deepening societal divides along political, economic, and geographic lines.While AI can enhance content creation and distribution, the Committee cautions that without effective oversight, it could worsen media fragmentation, allowing tech giants to dominate news dissemination, undermining diversity and pluralism in media.The rise of misinformation is also identified as a significant challenge, exacerbated by algorithmic bias and the unchecked spread of AI-generated content.The Report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the threats facing the UK's media landscape. It identifies generative AI, the erosion of local journalism, and the rise of misinformation as key factors that could undermine the future of news. These challenges not only risk reducing public trust but also threaten the diversity and accessibility of information essential for a functioning democracy.To secure a sustainable and inclusive media ecosystem, the report advocates for robust regulatory frameworks, increased support for local journalism, and enhanced efforts to combat misinformation. The role of government, tech companies, and media organizations is critical in fostering an environment that promotes fair competition, protects media pluralism, and ensures that news continues to serve its foundational role in supporting democracy and societal accountability. Immediate action is necessary to transform these challenges into opportunities for a more resilient, equitable, and trustworthy media future.In response to these issues, the report offers several recommendations: - Regulatory reforms to ensure a fair and competitive news environment, addressing concerns over monopolistic behaviors by tech companies. - Support for local journalism, including tax incentives and direct funding, to counter the financial pressures from digital disruption. - Combating misinformation through improved media literacy initiatives and public awareness campaigns. - The report emphasizes the importance of coordinated action between government, media companies, and tech platforms to protect the foundational role of news in a healthy democracy.

🇪🇺Operarional recommendations from chapter 6 on hybrid threats from EU Institute for Security Studies Chaillot Paper 186: 🇷🇺 Exploit the vulnerabilities of Russia’s strategy : 🔹Russia tailors its messaging to local contexts, but at the expense of overall coherence. 🔹Exploit Russia’s self-image and quest for status: expose contradictions in Russian rhetoric versus reality — using satire and incisive mockery to erode credibility. 🔹un-power by reducing Russia’s capacity to exploit informational vulnerabilities across Europe. ⚔️ Counter these Russian narratives: • Russia as a legitimate alternative to the liberal international order, fighting a hypocritical “collective West” • faltering European unity & internal divisions • cultural, religious, and historical affinities (esp in the Western Balkans) justify support to Moscow & use of local proxies 🧱 Fix European vulnerabilities 🔹our information environment made of fragmented media, technological disruption, psychological susceptibility to emotive, belief-based narratives. 🔹resist shift into a “post-truth” space, where audiences accept narratives based on beliefs and emotions rather than facts. 🔹build cohesion & shared approach to information resilience 👣 Strategic Recommendations: 🔹Expose and Degrade Russian Narratives • Use Russia’s own rhetoric and imagery to highlight contradictions and discredit its moral posture. • Apply satire, humour and creative storytelling to reach broader audiences and undermine authoritarian seriousness. 🔹Enable Deterrence in the Information Space • Ensure hostile influence operations face visible consequences, through attribution, exposure, and, where possible, sanctions or counter-measures. • Publicly naming Russian information operations can degrade credibility and deter future ones. 🔹Tailor Messaging and Engagement • Mirror Russia’s localised approach: adapt EU communication to local cultures, grievances & vulnerabilities. • Build joint EU–Member State–partner frameworks for both rapid reactive messaging and proactive influence campaigns. • Promote positive narratives highlighting democratic resilience, transparency, and EU values — not only debunking lies, but shaping the discourse. 🔹Integrate Information into the Wider Strategy • Treat the information dimension as integral to the resilience–deterrence–un-powering triad. • Move beyond passive defence: actively shape the information ecosystem to limit Russia’s capacity to manipulate it. • Extend analysis and tailored responses to key regions identified in the report — Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Last week, I joined Jay Strubberg on Morning Rush to address a pressing issue: the growing threat of deepfake videos in elections. This discussion was spurred after Elon Musk shared a digitally altered AI video of Vice President Kamala Harris, which has over 100 million views without any context indicating it was fake.   The problem of manipulated AI videos used to spread misinformation about political candidates is not confined to the U.S.; it's a global concern that will impact elections worldwide unless we establish an international coalition that will work to ensure the integrity and authenticity of online content.   Given that we won't see a policy solution by the November election, it's crucial for campaigns and experts to educate the public on how to identify manipulated videos. Here are some tips for voters to consider:   Verify the Source: Always check the origin of the video and whether it comes from a credible source. Cross-Check Information: Compare the message with what you know about the candidate to spot inconsistencies. Question Suspicious Content: If something seems off or doesn't add up, take a step back and verify the information before accepting it as true.   By staying informed and vigilant, we can better protect the democratic process from the threats posed by deepfake technology.

European Parliamentary Research Service: #Information #integrity online and the European #democracy shield In recent decades, the digital information sphere has become the public space for debate: the place where people access information, and form and express opinions. Over the past 10 years, global information ecosystems have also increasingly become geostrategic battlegrounds. Authoritarian state actors are testing and fine-tuning techniques to manipulate public opinion and foment divisions and tension, to undermine democratic societies and open democracy as a system. At the same time, the geostrategic rivalry overlaps more and more with corporate geopolitics: the digital information sphere has become a contested territory for large corporations competing fiercely to lead the development and roll-out of new technologies – with artificial intelligence (AI) as a game changer in this quest. These innovations come with risks: information manipulation campaigns facilitated by generative AI magnify threats to democratic information ecosystems. Strategic and systemic pressures on the open information environment are set to increase. This makes efforts to uphold universal values in the digital information environment – values such as human rights and, in particular, freedom of expression – even more essential. The increased focus on information integrity by multilateral organisations makes room for coordinating actions to boost the resilience of information ecosystems more broadly, safeguarding human rights. This concept ties in with key parts of the work planned under the future 'European democracy shield'. The broad scope of information integrity covers a number of activities that are already under way in the EU – including measures and legislation launched in recent years – and offers new paths for coalitions and partnerships.