UN Official Advocates For ‘Digital Integrity Code’ To Tackle ‘Health Misinformation’

UN Official Advocates For ‘Digital Integrity Code’ To Tackle ‘Health Misinformation’

Jacob M. Thompson

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming recently gave a speech at Boston University’s Center for Emerging Diseases, explaining what can be done to combat so-called health mis- and disinformation generated by AI, and presented accepting a “digital integrity code” later this year.

In a press release from the school, BU wrote: 

“In the post-pandemic era, artificial intelligence (AI) has played a major role in the dissemination of information. AI has also facilitated the spread of misinformation and disinformation across social media platforms through algorithms that amplify posts designed to generate outrage and de-prioritize posts from institutions like the United Nations, which work to dispel these false narratives.

“From hate speech to conspiracy theories, AI-fueled misinformation and disinformation serves to polarize society and create a harmful online environment. The World Economic Forum identified the threat from misinformation and disinformation as the most severe short-term threat facing the world today,” the university said.

Those who might have been screaming in a park with an audience of three now have the ability to reach thousands, if not millions of people. One of our biggest worries is the ease with which new technologies can help spread misinformation easier and cheaper, and that this content can be produced at scale and far more easily personalized and targeted.

Fleming contended that there are three main things under attack by these misinformation campaigns: mistrust of vaccines, climate change denial, and misogyny. 

‘In fact, if someone searches for information about vaccines online, there is around a 78% chance of finding misinformation or disinformation,’ BU says. Fleming claimed that celebrities and recognizable figures are hesitant to promote the wonders of vaccination because it may get them canceled, she said. 

Fleming blasted who she refers to as “merchants of outrage,” people who know how to work the algorithms for their benefit to make money and viral content, who in particular use the platforms to push climate denialism.” Fleming named Elon Musk’s X as the main culprit, but explained what the UN does to combat this ‘misinformation.’

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