Deepfakes, extreme weather pose biggest global risks: WEF

Report predicts continuing global disorder with polarisation, economic uncertainty

- Shefali Rekhi

Two days before Taiwan voted for its new president, fake videos featuring President Tsai Ing-wen added more turbulence to an already tense election environment.

These videos, made using artificial intelligence-generated voiceovers and fake show hosts, seemed to be based on a 300-page documentreplete with false content and rumours titled The Secret History Of Tsai Ing-wen, published online in December.

If deleted or banned, the videos would promptly reappear on various social platforms, a report in the Taipei Times said.

This was not the first instance of Taiwan's torrid election campaign period being marred by attempts at misinformation.

Two weeks ago, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Lo Chih-cheng called on the Investigation Bureau to probe a manipulated sex video circulating online that featured his likeness.

Another fake video showed United States congressman Rob Wittman promising military support for Taiwan if two DPP candidates were to win Saturday's election. The video was debunked by AFP's Fact Check service.

Misinformation and disinformation, particularly Al-enabled campaigns, will be the biggest shortterm risks, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said in its latest Global Risks Report released on Jan 10.

With close to three billion people expected to vote in polls in several economies over the next two years - among them India, Indonesia, the US, Britain and Pakistan - this trend may have disturbing consequences.

Growing distrust may undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments, leading to violent protests, hate crimes, and civil confrontation and terrorism, WEF warned.