In a recent report published by the watchdog group Freedom House, it has been highlighted that artificial intelligence poses a serious threat to internet freedom. The report observes that rapid advancements in AI can potentially “supercharge” the efforts of authoritarian-minded leaders to curtail internet freedom and spread disinformation. According to the annual Freedom of the Net survey, internet freedom has declined worldwide for the 13th consecutive year, with the digital rights landscape across Eurasia appearing particularly grim. The report reveals instances of internet users facing persecution and criminal prosecution for expressing their views online, as well as the use of blackouts as a means of stifling dissent. The report also raises concerns about AI’s ability to enhance digital repression and intensify the spread of misinformation. Recommendations from Freedom House include the creation of a strict regulatory framework by the United States and European Union to defend individual rights from AI encroachment.
Report Warns of the Serious Threat of Artificial Intelligence to Internet Freedom
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a “serious threat” to internet freedom, according to a report published by a prominent watchdog group. The report highlights how authoritarian-minded leaders are using the internet as an effective tool for repression and warns that rapid advancements in AI technology could further curtail internet freedom and spread disinformation.
Digital Rights in Eurasia
The report focuses on the state of digital rights in Eurasia, where internet freedom has declined for the 13th consecutive year. Kazakhstan was the only country in Central Asia or the Caucasus to see an improvement in its digital freedom score, but it still fell short of being considered “free.” Georgia and Armenia were the only countries in Eurasia with digital environments categorized as “free,” while Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine were deemed to have “partially free” spaces.
Persecution and Criminal Prosecution of Internet Users
The report highlights numerous instances in which internet users in Eurasian states faced persecution and even criminal prosecution for expressing their views online. Digital censorship and harassment took various forms, including the use of indiscriminate blackouts to stifle dissent. For example, Uzbekistan enforced an internet blackout in response to anti-government protests in Karakalpakstan, effectively creating an information firewall. Kazakhstan and Tajikistan also implemented internet shutdowns during periods of political violence and security concerns. Additionally, Azerbaijan limited access to social media platforms, particularly TikTok, during a border conflict with Armenia.
Economic Impact of Internet Blackouts
Internet blackouts not only infringe on digital rights but also have a significant economic impact. The report cites a shutdown in Kazakhstan in January 2022 that cost the country’s economy an estimated $410 million. Similarly, web interruptions in Uzbekistan resulted in losses of nearly $220 million. These economic consequences further underscore the detrimental effects of internet curtailment in authoritarian regimes.
Digital Manipulation and Censorship During Elections
The report highlights how elections serve as flashpoints for digital manipulation and censorship. Many incumbent leaders criminalize broad categories of speech, block access to independent news sites, and impose other controls over the flow of information to sway the election outcome in their favor. With Georgia set to hold a parliamentary election in 2024, the country’s digital developments will need close scrutiny, given the polarized political environment.
AI’s Role in Enhancing Digital Repression
The report warns of AI’s capacity to enhance digital repression. Authoritarian governments have been quick to adopt AI chatbot technology to strengthen their censorship systems. AI also amplifies mis- and disinformation tactics, with nearly two-thirds of the countries surveyed deploying commentators to manipulate online discussions in their favor. The report emphasizes that AI-based tools capable of generating text, audio, and imagery have become increasingly sophisticated, accessible, and easy to use, posing a concerning escalation of disinformation tactics.
Recommendations for Regulatory Framework
To combat the threat posed by AI to internet freedom, the report recommends strong and transparent regulatory frameworks. It calls on the United States and the European Union to take a leadership role in establishing robust protections against ineffective and unsafe AI systems. These protections should include addressing algorithmic discrimination, requiring independent audits and human rights-based impact assessments, and mandating increased transparency regarding the design, testing, use, and effects of AI products.
Hope for Effective Actions
Despite the challenges, the report expresses hope that effective actions can be taken. Lessons learned from past internet policy discussions, such as the importance of government oversight and robust global civil society engagement, provide a promising roadmap for this new era. The report acknowledges that addressing the threat of AI to internet freedom will require collective efforts and a commitment to protecting individual rights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the report highlights the serious threat that AI poses to internet freedom, particularly in Eurasia. It underscores the decline of digital rights, the persecution of internet users, the economic impact of internet blackouts, the manipulation and censorship during elections, and the role of AI in enhancing digital repression. However, it also offers hope for effective actions through the establishment of strict regulatory frameworks and the lessons learned from past policy discussions. With the leadership of the United States and the European Union, there is a promising roadmap to safeguard internet freedom in the face of the AI threat.
