Experts warn of increasing threats to global information environment

October, 2024. A new survey of experts from the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) has been released.International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE)), a scientific consortium of which the academic of the UC School of Communications and IMFD researcher, Sebastián Valenzuela, is scientific director, reveals a worrying diagnosis of the international information context.

There is a significant increase in the number of experts in the field who predict a further degradation of the information ecosystem, mainly due to the misuse of artificial intelligence. While just over half (54%) of the experts predicted a worsening of the situation in 2023, this figure increased to 63% this year.

The survey, entitled Expert Survey on the Global Information Environment 2024 - Searching for Solutions (Expert Survey on the Global Information Environment 2024 - Searching for Solutionswas conducted in June 2024 by IPIE, a global scientific initiative that monitors the evolution and challenges of information and technology systems. It surveyed 412 leading academics from 66 countries, from computer and data science, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

Seventy-seven percent of the experts surveyed stated that the main barrier to studying the challenges ahead and developing appropriate public policies is the lack of access to the data managed by technological platforms. 

"The data we need to advance our understanding of the information environment is not only locked, but locked behind corporate walls. Until we open those doors, we will remain in the dark, and our research will continue to lag behind the critical insights we so desperately need," said Sebastian Valenzuela, IPIE's scientific director. "Without transparency and open data, developing effective policies to counter misinformation and technological threats will remain an uphill battle," he added.

Threats to the global information environment

Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe that video, voice, images and text generated by generative AI have had a negative impact on the overall information environment. Looking ahead, more than two-thirds (67%) of experts are concerned about the growing impact of AI technologies over the next five years.

The report also highlights social platform owners, local and foreign governments, politicians and political parties as the main threats to information integrity.

IPIE President and Oxford University academic Phil Howard commented: "One of the most pressing concerns highlighted by our survey is the influence of the owners of social media platforms, whether they are billionaire entrepreneurs, foreign governments or parent companies. Their control over content distribution and moderation policies significantly affects the quality and integrity of information. The unchecked power of these entities poses a serious risk to the health of our global information environment."

The dual nature of generative AI

Although generative AI is perceived as a threat because it could amplify biases against minority groups, facilitate misinformation and increase digital harassment, it is also perceived as promising. Thus, experts are confident that AI can improve content detection, support journalism and enhance cross-cultural communication. 

Going forward, prioritizing access to data, fostering independent media and conducting robust transnational research will be vital to navigating and mitigating these complex issues.

The International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) is an independent, global scientific organization committed to providing the most useful scientific knowledge on threats to the global information environment. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, IPIE's mission is to provide decision makers, policy makers, industry and civil society with independent scientific assessments of the global information environment by organizing, evaluating and elevating research, with the broad objective of improving the global information environment. Hundreds of researchers from around the world contribute to IPIE reports.

Source: https://www.ipie.info/news/2024-global-expert-survey