Nagpur: On February 16, 2024, twenty of the world’s leading technology firms including Google, IBM, Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta, OpenAI, and X (formerly Twitter) have signed a pact the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI at the Munich Security Conference. Together they agreed to counter the use of artificial intelligence to deceive voters in the run-up to elections taking place in numerous countries this year including India.
The electorates of more than 60 countries – India, United States of America, Russia, Mexico, United Kingdom, others – are expected to go to the ballot box this year. In total, almost half of the world’s population will be entitled to vote in 2024.
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Friday 14 Feb. 2025
While elections are around the corner in Nagpur too, Nagpur Today spoke with senior police officers on how Nagpur Police are gearing up to counter Deepfake, AI threats that can deceive gullible voters from the Second Capital of the State.
Nagpur Cyber Police on toes to clear misinformation:
On the condition of anonymity, senior sources from Nagpur Police Department informed Nagpur Today that, you certainly can’t rule out the manipulation of voters using Deepfake generated videos and audios ahead of elections. However, sources assured that Nagpur Police with their hi-tech Cyber Police Department will be on their toes to avert any sort of misinformation and bring facts to fore.
“In the recent times we’ve seen several Deepfake videos of celebrities, which have deceived millions. Thankfully, those celebrities have come forward to clear the air, which is an essential step under such circumstances,” sources said.
Verify inputs from various fact checking sites:
Stressing for individual responsibility, sources said that, “If you find any post suspicious on social media, one should check it with several news platforms. Fact checking sites are there, including Government’s PIB Fact checking site, one can always look up there, to get authentic information regarding any rumour, sources suggested.
Election prep:
Ahead of the election, it is easy to fall prey to any misinformation. Thus, while following any person, do check their authenticity. Verified accounts and handles should only be referred for authenticity. Even if any Deepfake videos or audio takes rounds on social media, Nagpur Police’s Cyber Department is equipped with hi-tech devices that can legitimise any clip, sources assured.
It is pertinent to mention that, a senior Google executive has warned of the “very serious” threat posed to democracy by artificial intelligence (AI) powered Deepfakes, in a year of crucial national elections across the world.
Kent Walker, Google’s President for Global Affairs, has spoken of the need to be alert against the speed of AI development and its use to influence voters through Deepfakes. He specifically mentioned “micro-targeted” content aimed to unduly influence small but crucial communities among the electorate.
“We have learned a lot over the last decade and we take the risk of misinformation or disinformation very seriously,” he said.
– Shubham Nagdeve
