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Mid East Info
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Mid East Info
Experts and Specialists Discuss Misinformation and Influence Operations at the International Defence Conference 2025
The second session of the International Defence Conference 2025 focussed on 'Disinformation and Influence Operations: The Weaponisation of Information in Modern Conflicts,' highlighting the intersection of technology and politics, where information has become a powerful tool in modern conflicts. Panellists discussed disinformation tactics, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing misinformation campaigns, and their impact on the stability of societies and political systems. The session examined the techniques used by state and non-state actors, the influence of AI and deepfake technology in misinformation campaigns, the ethical implications of using information as a weapon, and the role of social media platforms in spreading disinformation. It also delved into strategies for detecting and countering misinformation, as well as collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society organisations to build a resilient information environment. H.E. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry, Republic of Armenia, emphasised that Armenian companies are making significant investments in AI solutions. However, while AI brings immense advancements, it also introduces new risks and challenges, making public-private partnerships essential. He stressed that governments must collaborate with civil society to combat fake news and enhance media literacy. Investing in research, development, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks is crucial to mitigating these risks. He also highlighted Armenia's recent accession to the Paris Declaration, reinforcing its commitment to global cooperation in addressing AI-driven threats. Vice Admiral (Ret.) Kevin Donegan, Former US NAVCENT & Fifth Fleet Commander, Senior Advisor, TRENDS US, noted that while misinformation is not a new phenomenon, its scale and speed have increased dramatically. Both state and non-state actors exploit misinformation to gain strategic advantages, including in global supply chains. Effective countermeasures require trusted information sources, robust cybersecurity policies, and public-private sector partnerships. He added that legislation, such as criminalising deepfake misinformation, can be helpful but is not sufficient on its own. Public awareness, education, and open dialogue are equally critical. He commended the UAE for providing a platform for such discussions and stressed the urgency of taking swift action to safeguard truth and trust in information sources. Liisa Past, Cyber Security & Strategic Communication Expert, Former National Cyber Director, Estonia, described the evolving landscape of information manipulation as 'a world of mutual assured doubt.' She noted that AI is both a threat and a tool, as it enables fake content while also aiding in the detection and countering of false narratives. Meanwhile, Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo, Director General, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, PEMRA, warned of the detrimental consequences of misinformation, particularly in elections, public health, and social stability. She pointed out that false propaganda in Pakistan has eroded trust in democracy, contributed to vaccine hesitancy in rural areas, and had spillover effects in Myanmar and India. To combat this, workshops and grassroots initiatives are being conducted to educate journalists and the public on fact-checking and verifying information before spreading misinformation. The conference, themed 'Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration and Resilience' is organised by ADNEC Group in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council. It brings together high-ranking government officials, defence policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and representatives of multinational corporations. The International Defence Conference 2025 witnessed high-level international participation, attracting prominent global figures in defence, economics, and technology, as well as senior military leaders from various nations.
Khaleej Times
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How Houthi rebels used misinformation to disrupt global trade routes, explain experts
The Red Sea crisis has provided a striking example of how non-state actors can manipulate narratives to achieve strategic objectives, said a US Vice Admiral on Sunday. Kevin Donegan, former US NAVCENT & Fifth Fleet Commander, highlighted the Houthis' sophisticated disinformation campaign, which, he said, successfully altered global trade routes and economic stability. 'In the case of the Houthis, their disinformation campaign has really altered the narrative as it allowed them to achieve success; they've been able to amplify and make it seem like they're doing a lot more than they really are. The end results were that they completely altered the global supply chain,' he explained. Houthis changed the routing of the global supply chain and impacted the cost of European and Asian trade; 'that's pretty incredible for a non-nation state,' he added. Donegan, who was speaking at the International Defence Conference in Abu Dhabi a day before the world's biggest International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) kicks off in the UAE capital, emphasised that while information warfare is not new, the velocity and scale at which it can be executed today present new challenges. The Houthis, he said, combined social media with traditional media platforms they had seized in 2014; they conducted daily press briefings where officials made misleading claims, often supported by unrelated or manipulated video content. 'In one case, they basically said they sunk the USS Eisenhower as it was leaving the Red Sea... Despite evidence that they didn't, it didn't matter because they had the pairing of television, print, daily press briefings, video, and even music videos to augment that,' said the Vice Admiral. Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo, Director General of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), warned of the broader dangers of disinformation, particularly in political stability and public health. 'Consequences of disinformation campaigns are huge. If state and non-state actors start spreading disinformation during elections, people lose trust in the entire electoral process, leading them to not accept the democratically elected government.' She cited Pakistan's 2024 elections, where a political party's propaganda falsely claimed the elections would be rigged, eroding people's confidence in the process. She also highlighted how misinformation campaigns have been used to destabilise Pakistan's Baluchistan district. 'A small militant group, with the help of our enemies through their social media platforms, is spreading lies and malicious propaganda that Baluchistan wants freedom from Pakistan. This is just to destabilise and sabotage the progress and growth Baluchistan is going to see through the CPEC corridor.' Wattoo noted how public health has also suffered due to misinformation, citing how fake news about COVID-19 vaccines led to widespread hesitancy in rural Pakistan. 'Because of the literacy rate of people living in rural areas, they were hesitant to get vaccinated due to so much fake news regarding the origin and the vaccination of the disease.' Wattoo also referenced the role of Facebook in spreading racist and inflammatory content against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar in 2007, which fuelled violent attacks. Similar tactics have been used in India and the UK, where false social media posts have incited protests and unrest, she added. Liisa Past, Cyber Security & Strategic Communication Expert and Former National Cyber Director of Estonia, described this evolving landscape as a 'world of mutual assured doubt.' She warned that AI has become both a threat and a tool in the information war. 'AI is a force multiplier for the attacker because it allows them to create content that talks and feels native,' she said, explaining how AI-generated content can convincingly mimic public figures and influential voices. 'Once you figure out one area, whether it's media regulation or cybersecurity, the threat actors shift their focus. We've seen this cycle repeat itself as nations defend critical infrastructure, only for attacks to move into the grey area of information operations.' The panelists agreed that disinformation campaigns are becoming more sophisticated and pervasive, which calls for urgent countermeasures. 'The real fact of the matter is this isn't going to go away,' Donegan added. 'It's here to stay. So, the last thing that I'll say is it's about trusted information. That's really what we're talking about here — what information sources you can trust.'
Zawya
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Experts and specialists discuss misinformation and influence operations at the International Defence Conference 2025
Abu Dhabi: The second session of the International Defence Conference 2025 focussed on 'Disinformation and Influence Operations: The Weaponisation of Information in Modern Conflicts,' highlighting the intersection of technology and politics, where information has become a powerful tool in modern conflicts. Panellists discussed disinformation tactics, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing misinformation campaigns, and their impact on the stability of societies and political systems. The session examined the techniques used by state and non-state actors, the influence of AI and deepfake technology in misinformation campaigns, the ethical implications of using information as a weapon, and the role of social media platforms in spreading disinformation. It also delved into strategies for detecting and countering misinformation, as well as collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society organisations to build a resilient information environment. H.E. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry, Republic of Armenia, emphasised that Armenian companies are making significant investments in AI solutions. However, while AI brings immense advancements, it also introduces new risks and challenges, making public-private partnerships essential. He stressed that governments must collaborate with civil society to combat fake news and enhance media literacy. Investing in research, development, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks is crucial to mitigating these risks. He also highlighted Armenia's recent accession to the Paris Declaration, reinforcing its commitment to global cooperation in addressing AI-driven threats. Vice Admiral (Ret.) Kevin Donegan, Former US NAVCENT & Fifth Fleet Commander, Senior Advisor, TRENDS US, noted that while misinformation is not a new phenomenon, its scale and speed have increased dramatically. Both state and non-state actors exploit misinformation to gain strategic advantages, including in global supply chains. Effective countermeasures require trusted information sources, robust cybersecurity policies, and public-private sector partnerships. He added that legislation, such as criminalising deepfake misinformation, can be helpful but is not sufficient on its own. Public awareness, education, and open dialogue are equally critical. He commended the UAE for providing a platform for such discussions and stressed the urgency of taking swift action to safeguard truth and trust in information sources. Liisa Past, Cyber Security & Strategic Communication Expert, Former National Cyber Director, Estonia, described the evolving landscape of information manipulation as "a world of mutual assured doubt." She noted that AI is both a threat and a tool, as it enables fake content while also aiding in the detection and countering of false narratives. Meanwhile, Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo, Director General, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, PEMRA, warned of the detrimental consequences of misinformation, particularly in elections, public health, and social stability. She pointed out that false propaganda in Pakistan has eroded trust in democracy, contributed to vaccine hesitancy in rural areas, and had spillover effects in Myanmar and India. To combat this, workshops and grassroots initiatives are being conducted to educate journalists and the public on fact-checking and verifying information before spreading misinformation. The conference, themed 'Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration and Resilience' is organised by ADNEC Group in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council. It brings together high-ranking government officials, defence policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and representatives of multinational corporations. The International Defence Conference 2025 witnessed high-level international participation, attracting prominent global figures in defence, economics, and technology, as well as senior military leaders from various nations.
