The Minister of Foreign Affairs International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara has called for concerted efforts in combating misinformation and disinformation fueled by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technology, emphasising that the phenomenon poses a significant threat to democracy, particularly in the developing world.
“Adapting to new technologies presents risks and threats coming from malign actors that have access to sophisticated platforms to propagate information detrimental to our already consolidated democratic gains and growth,” he posited.
Minister Tangara made these remarks while deliberating on ‘AI/Digital Technology and Democracy’ during the Ministerial Conference, ahead of the Third Summit for Democracy, held in Seoul, South Korea.
He went on: “Developing states with less sophisticated infrastructure, capacity, and resources require the cooperation and collaboration with developed states to collectively fight to end AI threats to democracy.” He however recognised the immense benefits of AI especially in promoting human rights and ensuring democratic participation.
The Minister enjoined the developed world to collaborate with the developing countries in at least five key areas, including building strong public AI digital infrastructure and oversight bodies; building synergies between states, public and private institutions on the AI value chain; providing capacity-building training for developing states to counter the existential AI threats to democratic processes; and sharing data in order to deter threats.
“The increasing threats of malicious information spreading through poorly regulated platforms have generated profound discord amongst different communities, and continue to erode positive public perceptions of the existing democratic institutions,” he added.
The Gambia, he assured, supports the strengthening of common positions in addressing complex challenges of new technologies, in its capacity as a Member State of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC).
Minister Tangara reminded that in August 2022, The Gambia chaired a Session on “Emerging Technologies and New Media: Impact on Democratic Governance, Peace and Security in Africa”; that as Chair of the Month of the Peace and Security Council The Gambia called for concerted efforts with the private sector actors to mitigate the threats posed by new technologies on democracy, enhance peace and security, and to ensure that Africa is not left behind in the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Minister Tangara used the opportunity to extend gratitude to His Excellency Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and the Government of the Republic of Korea for his leadership and support for democracy in The Gambia during his able chairmanship of the Peace Building Commission (PBC) in 2016.
He commended member countries for efforts employed in building better cooperation and collaboration between states and relevant public and private institutions with a view to respecting and protecting all rights.
He assured of The Gambia’s committed partnership as we look forward to an initiative that is solution-driven to Counter Digital Threats to Democratic Processes, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies whilst respecting and promoting rights for innovation as well as upholding online freedom.
Minister Tangara also had a bilateral meeting with his South Korean counterpart on the margins of the Ministerial Conference. The two Ministers applauded the growth in the bilateral engagements and cooperation between The Gambia and South Korea and agreed to further consolidation of the fraternal ties between the two countries.
Source: MOFA
Foreign Affairs Minister Tangara Delves into Cons of AI to Democracy
