AI-Generated Content Will Become Indistinguishable for Average Users Within Months

New technological capabilities and challenges for fact-checking were discussed during the panel session «New Technologies in Creative Industries: How to Combat Fakes Without Stifling Growth,» organized as part of the first full-scale educational day by the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) and the «New Media School» at the Global Digital Forum.

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape and amid the surge of disinformation, combating fake content remains a critical challenge. Sergei Maklakov, Head of the Department for Countering the Spread of False Information at ANPO «Dialog Regions», shared insights on technological solutions in this field:

«Some leading AI experts believe the deepfake threat is exaggerated. Honestly, I used to think so too —until August 2024. Russia faced a sharp rise in political and military deepfakes. Six months later, their number hasn’t decreased; it has grown significantly.»

The real danger lies in the increasing difficulty of detecting AI-generated content. Within months, new advancements may make it indistinguishable for the average user. Digital detection systems, such as ANPO «Dialog Region’s» «Zephyr» (which identifies deepfakes with 88% accuracy), help address this challenge — though human analysts still make the final call

Building robust fact-checking mechanisms in media is another priority. Kirill Sidorov, Digital Development Director at TASS, emphasized their approach:

“TASS operates on the following principle — better to not publish news at all than to publish sensationalism. It’s useless to just fight fakes, we need to provide people with substantiated information. To combat fakes, first and foremost, we have a large developed network. Currently our offices are present in 62 countries worldwide, correspondents attend all significant events and occasions. First and foremost, they pay attention to who the information source is, verify its reliability. To obtain official information we contact ministries, agencies, the Foreign Ministry, and foreign colleagues.”

The transformation of the world’s information landscape is currently being shaped by both geopolitical processes and technological advancements. The global challenge lies in balancing progress while strengthening the information sovereignty of nations worldwide. Moreover, solutions must be sought today within the emerging multipolar world order. German journalist, author, and screenwriter Dirk Pohlmann shared insights on maintaining this balance between technological progress and state information sovereignty:

“A long time ago, when I was still at university, there were many students from other countries who would say: ‘You know nothing about us.’ I’ve worked as a journalist for 40 years, and nothing has changed. Technology has advanced tremendously, yet in some ways we’ve regressed far backward.”