Taiwan provides a model for digital defense of democracy
Taiwan, widely considered the world's most-targeted democracy for foreign disinformation, made headlines recently as it became a founding member in a new coalition formed by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). Convening policymakers and industry experts, the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group on Elections (AI AGE) will build bridges between democratic governance and AI expertise to address the challenges and opportunities that AI presents in the conduct of free and fair elections.
Taiwan's invitation was no courtesy. On the contrary, it has become a laboratory for democratic resilience in the AI age. At a time when those in the pay of authoritarian regimes look to undermine our elections through increasingly sophisticated disinformation campaigns, Taiwan's playbook is seen as not just effective but essential.
As its peers scramble to address the risks posed by AI, Taiwan has become a sought-after voice in global AI governance. In effect, it has already lived the future others fear, emerging stronger on the other side of AI-fueled disinformation by harnessing the technology's potential.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
2 hours ago
- NHK
Hong Kong Security Law casts long shadow
Monday marked five years since Hong Kong's Security Law came into effect, chilling pro-democracy efforts. We talk to a former protester and our correspondent there about the mood on the ground.
Japan Times
3 hours ago
- Japan Times
Support for Ishiba slips ahead of key national vote, NHK survey shows
Support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government has slipped ahead of key national elections next month, a poll showed on Monday, with his cash handout plan to help the public deal with inflation having failed to impress voters. The current ruling bloc of Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and junior partner Komeito lost its Lower House majority last year. A poor showing in the Upper House elections slated for July 20 would likely weaken his grip on power further. Support for Ishiba's government stands at 34%, down from 39% in the previous poll three weeks ago, according to the poll conducted by public broadcaster NHK. The LDP says in its campaign pledges that it plans to give out ¥20,000 ($139) to each individual and an additional ¥20,000 to children as well as adult members of low-income households amid rising prices. But the NHK poll showed 32% of those surveyed do not evaluate the plan very positively and 31% do not evaluate the plan positively at all.
Japan Times
4 hours ago
- Japan Times
Niigata holds first public hearing on nuclear reactor restart plan
Niigata Prefecture has held the first public hearing, attended by residents, on the advisability of restarting reactors at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. Sixteen residents of the two municipalities hosting the plant, the city of Kashiwazaki and the village of Kariwa, attended the session held Sunday. Chosen by open application or through recommendations from relevant organizations, the participants shared their opinions online for some 10 minutes each. Only the consent of local communities is now required for the reactor restart. The plant's No. 6 and No. 7 reactors have already passed safety screenings by the Nuclear Regulation Authority and are fully loaded with nuclear fuel. An emergency evacuation plan has also been approved. Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi plans to hold four more such hearings by the end of August as a basis for deciding whether to approve the restart. Mixed views were shown in Sunday's session. A man in his 40s backed the restart, saying, "Supporting the economy of the capital area (of Tokyo and its vicinity) with electricity generated by the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant will directly lead to galvanizing the economy of Niigata." Another man in the same age group said, "I think many residents would approve (the restart) if Niigata is added to Tepco's service area and cheaper electricity is supplied to Kashiwazaki and Kariwa from the nuclear power plant." The prefecture currently receives electricity from Tohoku Electric Power. Meanwhile, a man in his 70s said, "It would be preposterous to bring the reactors back online before an evacuation route is built." A man in his 40s told reporters after the session that the public hearing was "very good because there had not been many opportunities for supporters of the restart to express their views." Still, a woman in her 70s who opposes the restart said, "Given the diversity of opinions, I'm skeptical that a consensus can be reached through such public hearings."
