Speaking at the 40th Media Innovation Network (MINDS) conference in Vienna on Thursday, the Austrian president, Alexander Van der Bellen, issued a warning regarding the escalating risks posed by disinformation fueled by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The head of state illustrated the threat using a personal anecdote, recounting an AI-generated video falsely showing him endorsing a cryptocurrency investment platform, which he confirmed was untrue. Van der Bellen highlighted that modern technology allows anyone with basic access to generate misleading content, including images depicting opponents in compromising situations or deepfakes of public figures.
He stressed the profound impact these forgeries have on public trust. While he noted that the specific deepfake he encountered was flawed—as it used a North German dialect inconsistent with Austria—he warned that technology is advancing quickly, potentially making such manipulations indistinguishable from reality. In response, the president emphasized the vital role of fact-checking agencies, describing them as independent sources of verified information, free from political pressure or the pursuit of online popularity.
He argued that a liberal democracy cannot function without a shared commitment to truth. He stated, “We need a shared understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Of what is a fact, and what is just an opinion.”
Furthermore, Van der Bellen warned that various global powers are attempting to restrict freedom of speech and control the flow of information.
He argued that autocracies often target truth to undermine critical voices. He called for increased media literacy and robust support for independent journalism to actively defend democratic values. Representatives from major global news agencies attended the forum to hear the president’s address about the necessity of maintaining an open and verifiable information ecosystem.
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