THE DANGER OF LEGITIMACY LAUNDERING
The New Indian Express Hyderabad|December 07, 2024
Biased indexes can accrue credibility in an echo chamber of cross-references. Reforms in the World Bank's governance indicators show a structured pushback can yield better results
SANJEEV SANYAL
THE DANGER OF LEGITIMACY LAUNDERING

Narrative wars have been around from the beginning of civilization. Kingdoms, republics, tribes and rebel groups have long used disinformation and ideology to manipulate political narratives to their advantage. The spread of digital networks and social media, however, has allowed for an unprecedentedly rapid penetration of such narratives. Artificial intelligence now presents the danger of an algorithm-driven mass-scale manipulation that all sovereign governments and citizens need to guard against.

One could argue that people will adjust their behaviour to the new environment and become more sceptical. Notice, however, that sources that establish themselves as credible become very important in such an environment of doubt. Therefore, the new battlefield is for the 'legitimacy' and 'credibility' of information sources. The labelling of a source as credible is especially powerful as its data would be used to train AI platforms that then run the default responses of many systems.

Those attempting to manipulate global narratives are aware of the credibility issue and have been investing in taking control of default sources even as they have been taking great pain to mask the takeover. One tactic, drawing inspiration from academic publishing, is to create cross-references in order to echo a particular view so that it comes to be seen as the accepted truth. Akin to money laundering, legitimacy laundering then creates layers of sources that hide the original manipulators.

Notice how, in recent years, there has been a proliferation of global indexes and rankings. These rankings are themselves derived from other indices-often entirely subjective opinions-and, in turn, flow into sovereign ratings, investment weightages and so on. In this way, real-world decisions get influenced by sources that are not easily visible to the end user.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 07, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express Hyderabad.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 07, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express Hyderabad.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS HYDERABADAlle anzeigen
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

'ARTISTS ARE MEANT TO FACE THE SUFFERING OF THE WORLD'

Actor Andrew Garfield speaks about the privilege of watching non-English film at 21st Marrakech International Film Festival, his collaboration with Luca Guadagnino, and more

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Paatal Lok season 2 gets release date

The release date of Paatal Lok season 2 has been unveiled.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Bid to outshine Akhanda, and Legend

The team behind the highly anticipated action entertainer Daaku Maharaaj, featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna, recently engaged with the media to share insights about the film.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Art Evans passes away at 82

RT Evans, who starred in films such as Fright Night, Die Hard 2 and A Soldier's Story, passed away in the presence of his family on December 21. Evans was 82.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Rustic charm meets Indian spice

Create kitchens that feel like home - cosy, functional, and full of stories. Experts decode the perfect Cottagecore kitchen for CE

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

One for serial plant killers

THE GREEN MANUAL

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

MEDAK'S UNFORGOTTEN LEGACY

In 1924, Christian missionary Charles Walker Posnett built Medak Cathedral. As the church celebrates 100 years, his grandson Dickon Walker Posnett speaks to CE about this iconic structure, its history, and more

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

A SLIPPERY SLOPE & SILENT EPIDEMIC

Identify Signs, Lend a Hand

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

GREEN CORNER IN BOXING DAY BOUT

MCG curator says grass on the surface should excite pacers

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 24, 2024
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Beau is not afraid of Test challenges

IMAGINE being Beau Webster. You had just helped Tasmania beat New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the Sheffield Shield game around late November. A 61 and 49 with the bat while taking five wickets across two innings. You get called up as cover for Mitchell Marsh ahead of the pink ball Test against India.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 24, 2024