“Disinformation has always been around, but it’s never been at the scale, or velocity, or magnitude that we all are experiencing in the world today.”
These words resonate deeply in the current landscape of misinformation and disinformation. Mike Pompeo, 70th Secretary of State, former CIA Director, and Cyabra’s board member, emphasizes the critical role that companies like Cyabra play in fortifying trust in the world’s major institutions against the onslaught of disinformation, further amplified by the harmful use of AI tools. “Cyabra has created a very rigorous methodology by which they are able to identify those risks on social media originating from artificial intelligence.”
Cyabra recently sat down with Secretary Pompeo to discuss the impact of disinformation on public trust, the growing challenges of detecting online manipulations, and the dual role of AI tools – on the one hand, weaponized to spread and disseminate disinformation, but on the other hand, harnessed by companies like Cyabra to help detect and combat fake campaigns, foreign influence, and other attempts to manipulate public opinion.
AI And the Rising Threat of Disinformation
Secretary Pompeo explains that “Disinformation is often not only a corollary to, but aimed directly at those very institutions in an effort to undermine their credibility.” This undermining can erode citizens’ trust in their governments, impacting democratic processes and the functioning of society as a whole.
When trust in institutions wanes, it jeopardizes the fundamental operations of democracies. While addressing the need for trusted sources in the information space to counter those threats, Pompeo asserts, “The risk to democratic nations is very real.”
One of the major concerns raised by Pompeo is the exploitation of Generative AI and other AI tools for creating and spreading disinformation and fake news. “The quality of this disinformation is very, very high,” he says. “It is difficult for ordinary citizens to discern whether a message from an institution is real, or whether this is AI enabled or generated information, that is false and nefarious.”
Pomepo explains that AI has also made creating and propagating disinformation extremely cheap, making it much more accessible for malicious actors.
The Role of Cyabra in Defending Democracy
In a world where mis- and disinformation spreads rapidly, it is crucial for governments to adopt effective strategies to counter these threats. Secretary Pompeo stresses that governments have a responsibility to protect their institutions from disinformation attacks, and notes that Cyabra, with its AI-powered platform, serves as a vital ally for governments and organizations in this fight.
“Cyabra has demonstrated that it can quickly identify bots and disinformation, detect how quickly it’s propagating, and decide which problem to tackle first,” Pompeo explains, referring to Cyabra’s capabilities to detect mis- and disinformation and identify fake profiles and bot networks manipulating online discourse.
“Cyabra can combat disinformation at a scale, a speed and a cost that can truly counter disinformation – at the scale that AI has the capacity to generate and disseminate,” Pompeo continues. He stresses that Cyabra’s role extends beyond just protecting institutions, to protecting societies and democracy itself. The clarity that Cyabra provides is essential for a democratic society, in which informed citizens are able to discern fact from fiction and make informed decisions.
Cyabra’s Mission And the Future of Public Trust
“False information is often driven by state-nation actors with a deep agenda,” Secretary Pompeo warns. As the battle against disinformation continues to evolve, institutions must remain vigilant and adaptable, utilizing technology and fostering transparency to maintain public trust. Pompeo further underscores the critical importance of organizations like Cyabra in the fight against disinformation, explaining that as we navigate an increasingly complex information landscape, the need for trustworthy sources has never been more urgent. The stakes are high, and the health of our democracies depends on it.
In conclusion, the impact of disinformation on public trust is profound, and it is a challenge that requires a collective effort from institutions, governments, and citizens alike. “Governments should know that it is incredibly important to protect their most vital institutions,” he adds, and concludes his words by reiterating that the capacity that Cyabra possesses to prevent disinformation from permeating public discourse is crucial as we work towards a future where public trust is restored and maintained. By equipping ourselves with those tools, we gain a significant advantage in the fight to protect democracy and uphold the values that define it.
