AI-generated disinformation disrupts Bangladesh's 2024 general election campaign

Summary

A report by *The Daily Star* and cited in the *Financial Times* highlights the use of AI-generated disinformation in Bangladesh ahead of its January 2024 elections. Pro-government outlets and influencers have used AI tools like HeyGen to create fake news clips and deepfake videos targeting both the ruling party and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Examples include an AI-generated news anchor criticizing the U.S. and a deepfake video falsely showing an opposition leader downplaying support for Gazans. The disinformation is spreading on platforms like X and Facebook, with Meta removing some content after being contacted by the *Financial Times*. Experts warn that the lack of regulation and the potential for bad actors to falsely claim content is AI-generated could further erode public trust in information. The issue is part of a growing global concern about AI's role in elections, particularly in smaller markets that may be overlooked by major tech companies.