Speaking at the 40th Media Innovation Network (MINDS) conference in Vienna, President Alexander Van der Bellen issued a strong warning regarding the escalating disinformation risks posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). The president used his own experience to illustrate the threat, recounting an AI-generated video that falsely depicted him endorsing a cryptocurrency platform, an endorsement he confirmed never making. Van der Bellen stressed that modern technologies allow any individual to generate misleading content, enabling the creation of fabricated images or deceptive impersonations.
While he noted that current forgeries can sometimes be spotted—such as the dialect used in the fake video differing from the authentic Austrian accent—he cautioned that technological progress means future forgeries may become nearly indistinguishable from reality. He highlighted the indispensable role of independent fact-checking agencies, describing them as a mark of quality immune to political pressure. The president argued that a liberal democracy cannot function without a shared understanding of verifiable truth.
He warned that authoritarian regimes systematically attack truth and attempt to control information flow, citing various international examples where freedom of speech is curtailed. In conclusion, the president called for increased media literacy and robust support for independent journalism as crucial defenses. He emphasized that defending democratic values requires actively countering the deliberate efforts to manipulate public perception.
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