Speaking at the 40th Media Innovation Network (MINDS) conference in Vienna, President Alexander Van der Bellen issued a stern warning regarding the escalating risks posed by disinformation generated through rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI). The president drew attention to the potential for modern technology to generate misleading content, citing his own experience when an AI-generated video falsely portrayed him endorsing a cryptocurrency platform. Van der Bellen stressed that the ability to create fabricated images or videos depicting individuals in compromising situations is now accessible to nearly anyone.
While he noted that his specific deepfake was detectable because of a dialect mismatch, he cautioned that technological advancements mean such forgeries could soon become virtually indistinguishable from reality. In addressing these threats, the president emphasized the critical role of fact-checking agencies, describing them as essential, independent sources of verified information. He asserted that a functioning liberal democracy requires a shared understanding of factual truth versus mere opinion.
Furthermore, the president warned that authoritarian regimes frequently attempt to control the flow of information and suppress truth. He cited instances where governments attempt to dictate media narratives. Despite these efforts to control the public discourse, Van der Bellen concluded that the truth ultimately prevails.
He called for increased media literacy and robust support for independent journalism to actively defend democratic values against manipulation.
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