President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could intensify global misinformation if not managed responsibly and transparently.
Speaking at the International Conference on Information Integrity in Paris, President Mahama said emerging AI tools such as deepfakes and algorithmic manipulation are distorting public perception and reshaping global narratives, making it harder for people to distinguish truth from falsehood.
“While AI offers immense opportunities for innovation, it also amplifies the risk of misinformation and economic disruption,” he said. “Deepfakes, synthetic media, and algorithmic manipulation are reshaping what our societies perceive to be the truth.”
He urged nations to act collectively to ensure AI serves humanity’s interests, warning that misinformation must be treated with the same urgency as security and economic challenges.
“Disinformation is shaping elections, distorting public health responses, fueling conflicts, and undermining the fight against climate change,” he noted.
President Mahama also called for deliberate investment in independent journalism, describing it as a public good vital to democracy and peace.
“When journalists can hold their governments accountable, societies flourish. When truth is defended, peace is preserved,” he emphasized.
He concluded by urging global cooperation to safeguard truth and integrity in the digital age, stressing that the world must “invest in truth as deliberately as it invests in infrastructure, energy, or defense.”
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he added: “A critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy.”
