Fake news a security threat alongside missiles and drones, says UAE minister

UAE Minister of State, Noura Al Kaabi, highlighted the escalating security threats posed by modern technology at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai. She emphasized that the rapid dissemination of fake news and misinformation were treated as legitimate security threats during the regional conflict, comparing it to "strikes from the sky and behind our screens."

Al Kaabi referenced a 2018 MIT study which found that false news stories were 70% more likely to be posted on social media than accurate reports. She warned that this issue could be further exacerbated by the increasing capabilities of artificial intelligence, which could now fabricate news. Al Kaabi stressed the urgent need for a swift response to deliver true news through verified channels.

She also pointed out the rising role of young people and the platforms they use, advocating for the empowerment of the region's youth to shape its narrative. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Iran aspired to utilize AI in its military and security forces. Social media platforms have indicated a potential crackdown, with Nikita Bier, head of product at X, stating that users posting unlabelled AI content could face a 90-day ban from earning money.

Similarly, Meta's supervisory board recommended new regulations on "deceptive AI" during conflicts. The company concurred with this proposal. Following the recent Iranian attacks in late February, Gulf countries have repeatedly urged residents to rely on official sources and refrain from sharing footage of missile interceptions.

The UAE's Attorney General, Dr Hamad Al Shamsi, cautioned the public against taking or sharing images of Iranian attacks, warning of the risk of panic and presenting a false impression of the country's situation. He also cautioned that breaching these rules could result in prosecution, as unverified clips or images could potentially be AI-manipulated to depict events that did not occur. Sharing such images or clips was considered a criminal offense, according to Dr Al Shamsi.