GFCN Editor-in-Chief at SCO Youth Forum: Deepfakes Are Becoming Weapons in Real Conflicts

On March 23, 2026, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States Youth Forum, bringing together leading experts in youth policy and regional cooperation. Ivan Serov, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN), participated in one of the forum’s flagship sessions, “Digitalization and New Technologies.” In his presentation, titled “Responsible Fact-Checking: How to Verify Information in the World of AI and Deepfakes,” Serov addressed the critical challenges of the digital era driven by the transformation of the media landscape under the influence of generative neural networks.

Serov emphasized that while artificial intelligence and generative models offer tremendous opportunities for professional and technological advancement, they also require a profound understanding of how these tools operate. Concurrently, the threat of technological misuse is mounting. According to the expert, the weaponization of deepfakes for propaganda is a major cause for concern—a trend starkly evident during the recent escalation of the Middle East conflict. In such instances, AI-generated content serves as a tool to artificially manipulate narratives.

“In an era where generative neural networks are omnipresent, we must not only master new technologies and understand their architecture but also foster a culture of responsible media consumption. AI-generated content is frequently no longer just for entertainment; it is a direct weapon of information warfare used to manufacture fakes and manipulate public opinion,” the GFCN Editor-in-Chief stressed.

The SCO Member States Youth Forum united tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and public figures from eight countries. The panel discussions also explored ways to expand entrepreneurial infrastructure and boost digital literacy among young people.