Speaking at the 40th Media Innovation Network (MINDS) conference in Vienna, President Alexander Van der Bellen issued a warning regarding the escalating disinformation risks posed by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The president drew attention to the potential for technology to generate highly misleading content, citing a personal instance where an AI-generated video falsely depicted him endorsing a cryptocurrency platform, an endorsement he never made. Van der Bellen noted that modern tools allow anyone to create deceptive images or videos, making it increasingly difficult to discern reality.
While he observed that his own deepfake was flawed—due to a mismatched dialect—he cautioned that technological progress means such forgeries may soon become virtually indistinguishable from genuine footage. In response to these threats, the president stressed the critical role of independent fact-checking agencies, describing them as essential markers of quality information that remain free from political pressure. He asserted that a functioning liberal democracy requires a shared understanding of fact versus opinion.
The address also covered global concerns about authoritarian regimes attempting to control information flow. The president warned that such governments often target truth itself, attempting to undermine critical voices. He emphasized that while attempts to control media exist worldwide, he concluded that ultimately, truth tends to prevail.
Van der Bellen concluded by calling for enhanced media literacy and robust support for independent journalism as active defenses of democratic values.
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