Chief election commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin on Tuesday urged experts to provide practical, evidence-based solutions to combat artificial intelligence-driven misinformation ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh national elections.
He emphasised the growing global concern over AI misuse and called for a 24-hour monitoring system to address the issue.
鈥楢I misuse has become a global challenge. Like any tool, it can be used for both good and bad purposes. A doctor might use it to save lives, while a criminal could use it to commit crimes,鈥� CEC Nasir Uddin remarked at a seminar held at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The seminar, titled 鈥業ntegration of Artificial Intelligence in the Upcoming National Parliament Election to Counter Misinformation and Disinformation,鈥� was organised by the Election Commission鈥檚 IDEA and CBEATP projects. The event was attended by the CEC and four other election commissioners.
Nasir Uddin stated that the Election Commission is actively working to integrate AI technology to prevent its misuse and ensure greater transparency in the electoral process. He noted that the system must be capable of detecting and addressing false or misleading information at any time, day or night.
鈥楾his will be a round-the-clock effort,鈥� he said, highlighting the need for a rapid verification process, clear protocols, and coordination with relevant agencies. He also called for specific proposals on the structure and staffing of the information verification cell, including personnel numbers, qualifications, and coordination methods.
Addressing the challenge of tackling misinformation in remote areas, such as hilly or island regions, Nasir Uddin stressed the importance of strong connectivity with the central monitoring cell. 鈥榃e need not just policy guidelines, but realistic plans鈥攚ho will work, how many people are needed, and how information will be gathered from hard-to-reach areas,鈥� he explained.
The CEC expressed hope that the seminar would generate actionable recommendations to ensure a free, fair, and credible 13th national parliament election.
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed added that AI鈥檚 influence, both passive and negative, was a growing concern, particularly in spreading misinformation that disrupts election processes. He noted that around 92% of global elections have faced challenges due to AI-related misinformation and urged all stakeholders to cooperate in preventing the misuse of the technology to ensure a participatory and fair election.