Dialogue Focuses on Combatting AI Disinformation
- High-level dialogue addresses AI-manipulated content, platform accountability, and social cohesion
- UNDP study shows over half of analyzed online content contained fake or misleading facts
- Policy paper planned to guide future advocacy, regulatory frameworks, and tech governance
A day-long high-level dialogue was held in Dhaka to address growing challenges posed by AI-driven disinformation, online echo chambers, and misleading content. On Tuesday (18 August), UNDP Bangladesh and partner organizations hosted the event titled 'Dialogue on Information Integrity and Social Cohesion in Bangladesh: Policy, Platform Accountability and Collective Action' at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel's Padma Hall from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The background presentation highlighted how confirmation bias and artificial intelligence (AI) manipulation degrade public trust in mainstream media and democratic institutions. Citing UNDP Bangladesh's 2026 social media monitoring analysis, organizers revealed that over half of the evaluated online content was false or misleading, with more than one-fifth containing AI-generated or manipulated media. The findings noted widespread use of edited videos, fabricated quotes, and miscontextualized old media targeting candidates surrounding the 2026 national elections.
Chaired by ICT Division Secretary Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, the first working session addressed institutional frameworks and platform responsibility. Key discussants included National Cyber Security Agency Director General Dr. Md. Taibur Rahman, UNESCO Representative Susan Vize, Meta Public Policy Manager Ruzan Sarwar, and BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad-Ul-Bari. Subsequent sessions focused on countering technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and building narrative resilience.
Postal, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Fakir Mahtab Anam, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, and German Embassy officials spoke during the opening session. Prime Minister's Office Advisor for Information, Broadcasting, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Zahedur Rahman delivered special remarks in the third session, while Information and Broadcasting Minister Zohir Uddin Swapon presented the government's roadmap during the closing ceremony. The insights gathered will form a strategic policy paper for future advocacy and regulatory implementation.
//DBTech/NAP/MIS//
