Countering AI-Driven Misinformation: A Sikh Perspective

Understanding Sikhism - The Research Journal, Montreal, QC, Canada,. 25(1).153-157. Jan.-Dec., 2023

Artificial Intelligence refers to developing computer systems and machines that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. AI is an evolving field, and researchers and engineers continue to explore and develop new techniques and technologies to enhance its capabilities. The impact of AI on religions is not entirely predictable. AI is likely to affect religions or be affected by them in various ways, some of which are already becoming apparent. As with any new technology, it is up to individuals and religious communities to decide how to incorporate AI into their beliefs and practices. It is worth mentioning that the mutual relevance of Sikhism and AI is likely to be complex and multifaceted. It will depend on how AI is developed, implemented, and used and the attitudes and beliefs of individual Sikhs and the Sikh community.

Religions

This study emerged from an incidental, and somewhat surprising, finding that 15 percent of working journalists who attend training on improving the ways that mainstream new media report stories about Islam and Muslims, wrongly associated Sikhism with Islam. We wondered if this was indicative of the Australian population and, through a random stratified survey of the Australian population, found that it was. The question about the extent to which populations wrongly associate Sikhism with Islam is an important one. In Australia, Muslims and Sikhs are minorities. Ignorance of Islam and its religious diversity coupled with ignorance of Muslims and their ethnic and cultural diversity underpins the intolerance of Islam in the West and the concomitant animus directed at Muslims. Intolerance and violence directed at Muslims and people wrongly assumed to be Muslims (such as Sikhs) increased after the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 (9/11). This speaks to religious literacy, the treat...

SUHUF

Islam is a religion that accepts all forms of technological progress, including advances in artificial intelligence. However, in the development of technology, Muslims are required to adapt to anticipate the negative or positive impacts that exist. The purpose of this study is to find out the opportunities and threats that accompany the emergence of AI (Artificial Intelligence) so that AI (Artificial Intelligence) can be used in harmony with the Islamic religion. The qualitative method was chosen in this study, by collecting secondary data which was then analyzed to answer all questions. The results of the research show that if Artificial Intelligence is developed and implemented properly, it will be very helpful for the needs of Muslims. But there are also threats including; prone to be misused to instill the values of apostasy, radicalization and terrorism. The use of Artificial Intelligence in harmony with the Islamic religion, must pay attention to ethical and moral principles i...

Digital Journalism in India, 2023

Artificial intelligence has set its foot and started to manifest its immense possibilities in journalism just as in the case of every other human utility. The role of artificial intelligence in journalism is mainly in three areas - automated news writing, big data news analysis and news curation. Even though all these potentials of artificial intelligence have not been explored by both established and other news organisations across the globe, the third one has been in action for a long time. The journalistic practices in India are getting transformed just as in the case of rest of the world with the concept of digital-first and other content creation prioritising the digital avenue. It is in this context that the ethics related to the usage of artificial intelligence in journalism has to be a consideration in the Indian scenario. A large section of the Indian society considers printed matters and forwarded messages to be accurate and can be dragged into severe troubles when those with vested interests take over the news scenario with the help of algorithms leveraging on the already existing biases of the diverse Indian community. This article deals with the basic concepts behind using artificial intelligence in journalism, algorithmic curation of news in social media platforms, concerns related to algorithmic journalism in India and the core values to uphold while employing artificial intelligence. The article ends with a call to action or suggestion that journalists, regardless of their platform and organisation, should also be media literacy activists.

Disinformation in the Global South, 2022

Data & policy, 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are playing an overarching role in the disinformation phenomenon our world is currently facing. Such systems boost the problem not only by increasing opportunities to create realistic AI-generated fake content, but also, and essentially, by facilitating the dissemination of disinformation to a targeted audience and at scale by malicious stakeholders. This situation entails multiple ethical and human rights concerns, in particular regarding human dignity, autonomy, democracy, and peace. In reaction, other AI systems are developed to detect and moderate disinformation online. Such systems do not escape from ethical and human rights concerns either, especially regarding freedom of expression and information. Having originally started with ascending co-regulation, the European Union (EU) is now heading toward descending co-regulation of the phenomenon. In particular, the Digital Services Act proposal provides for transparency obligations and external audit for very large online platforms' recommender systems and content moderation. While with this proposal, the Commission focusses on the regulation of content considered as problematic, the EU Parliament and the EU Council call for enhancing access to trustworthy content. In light of our study, we stress that the disinformation problem is mainly caused by the business model of the web that is based on advertising revenues, and that adapting this model would reduce the problem considerably. We also observe that while AI systems are inappropriate to moderate disinformation content online, and even to detect such content, they may be more appropriate to counter the manipulation of the digital ecosystem. Policy Significance Statement This study aims at identifying the right approach to tackle the disinformation problem online with due consideration for ethical values, fundamental rights and freedoms, and democracy. While moderating content as such and using AI systems to that end may be particularly problematic regarding freedom of expression and information, we recommend countering the malicious use of technologies online to manipulate individuals. As considering the main cause of the effective manipulation of individuals online is paramount, the business model of the web should be on the radar screen of public regulation more than content moderation. Furthermore, we do support a vibrant, independent, and pluralistic media landscape with investigative journalists following ethical rules.

International Journal of Scientific Research and Modern Technology (IJSRMT),Volume 3, Issue 11, 2024

With rapid technological advancements, the emergence of deepfakes and digital misinformation has become both a powerful tool and a formidable challenge. Deepfakes—realistic yet fabricated media generated through artificial intelligence—threaten media credibility, public perception, and democratic integrity. This study explores the intersection of AI technology with these concerns, highlighting AI's role both as a driver of innovation and as a defense mechanism. By conducting an in-depth review of literature, analyzing current technologies, and examining case studies, this research evaluates AI-based strategies for identifying and addressing misinformation. Additionally, it considers the ethical and policy implications, calling for greater transparency, accountability, and media literacy. Through examining present AI techniques and predicting future trends, this paper underscores the importance of collaborative efforts among tech companies, government agencies, and the public to uphold truth and integrity in the digital age.

The growing trend of sharing and acquiring news through social media platforms and the World Wide Web has impacted individuals as well as societies, spreading misinformation and disinformation. This trend-along with rapid developments in the field of machine learning, particularly with the emergence of techniques such as deep learning that can be used to generate data-has grave political, social, ethical, security, and privacy implications for society. This paper discusses the technologies that have led to the rise of problems such as fake news articles, filter bubbles, social media bots, and deep-fake videos, and their implications, while providing insights from the Islamic ethical tradition that can aid in mitigating them. We view these technologies and artifacts through the Islamic lens, concluding that they violate the commandment of spreading truth and countering falsehood. We present a set of guidelines, with reference to Qur'anic and Prophetic teachings and the practices of the early Muslim scholars, on countering deception, putting forward ideas on developing these technologies while keeping Islamic ethics in perspective.

Explorations in Media Ecology, 2024

A significant shift is currently underway in the disinformation industry. We are transitioning from the era of disinformation fuelled by fake news and social media to disinformation on a larger scale generated through artificial intelligence (AI). Therefore, the objective of this text is to analyse this disinformation phenomenon, catalysed by social media and AI, from the media ecology perspective. This work is divided into two parts. In the first part of the text, we analyse the disinformation phenomenon, highlighting the involvement of certain governments. In the second part of the text, we focus on recognizing the effects that can arise from the use of AI within the extensive landscape of the disinformation industry.