| [Portugal] Debate on fake news and the use of Artificial Intelligence in Lisbon |
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| Last updated 2023-06-12 |
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Debate on fake news and the use of Artificial Intelligence brings together Portuguese-speaking jurisdictional and electoral administration bodies in Lisbon The Portuguese National Electoral Commission promoted, on February 14th, a public session on the theme “Electoral enlightenment and new techniques and technologies - reflection on “fake news” and AI in elections.” The initiative, held within the scope of the VI Assembly General of
the Network of Jurisdictional Bodies and Electoral Administration of the
Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries - ROJAE-CPLP (Angola, Brasil, Cabo
Verde, Guiné-Bissau, Moçambique, Portugal, S. Tomé e Príncipe e Timor-Leste), discussed
the phenomenon of fake news and the advantages and risks of using Artificial
Intelligence tools in electoral processes. The opening session
was presided over by the President of the Portuguese
Parliament and was attended by
members and observers of the ROJAE-CPLP, the Parliamentary Groups, the
Executive Secretary of the CPLP, as well as other international bodies, namely
the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) Electoral Commission Forum. The session program was carried out with two thematic panels:
“Media, fake news and Artificial Intelligence tools in electoral processes and
freedom of action and equal opportunities for candidacies” and “Advantages and
dangers of the use of Artificial Intelligence tools by the powers that be
public during election periods”. In addition to
addressing and clarifying the concepts of AI, fake news and disinformation, the
speakers mentioned projects in the area of combating disinformation and
contributions from organizations such as IDEA - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and Iberifier - Iberian Digital Media Research and Fact-Checking, with a special focus on training and the creation of
tools for AI to fight misinformation. Jurisdictional bodies and electoral administration bodies must
guarantee freedom of action and equal opportunities for candidacies. An
in-depth reflection should be made on the use of Artificial Intelligence by
existing powers, particularly by public authorities, especially during election
periods. Artificial Intelligence, if used in a transparent way, can be a
valuable aid to electoral authorities.
Augusto Santos Silva, President of the Portuguese Parliament and José Vítor Soreto de Barros, President of the National Electoral Commission of Portugal
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