DEMOCRACY THREATENED? 83% OF SINGAPORE CONSUMERS WORRY DEEPFAKES WILL INFLUENCE NEXT ELECTION

SINGAPORE, July 24 (Bernama) -- Jumio, the leading provider of automated, AI-driven identity verification, risk signals and compliance solutions, today released new findings from its Jumio 2024 Online Identity Study, revealing growing concern among the general public on the political influence AI and deepfakes may have on Singapore’s next election, and how they might influence trust in online media. Developments in AI and machine learning have made it much easier to create compelling fake news stories, altered images, videos or audio recordings. This technology can fabricate events, statements and appearances, spreading misinformation quickly and deceiving viewers who often take these false narratives as legitimate news.

Recent examples highlight the real-world impact of deepfakes on political processes. Indonesia’s social media channels saw AI being abused for political purposes prior to February’s elections, including a long-deceased army general endorsing the incumbent. In Singapore, officials are considering a temporary ban on political deepfakes ahead of the next general elections, which have yet to be called but must happen by November 2025. South Korea took a similar approach, imposing a 90-day ban on deepfakes before its April 2024 election.