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Canadian researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence to combat the growing threat of online disinformation targeting Canadians, according to experts at the University of Regina and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.
Their tool, known as CIPHER, has recently been enhanced with AI technology to better track and debunk false narratives circulating online. The system primarily focuses on Russian disinformation campaigns but is being expanded to analyze Chinese-language content and potentially monitor misinformation originating from the United States.
“Russia was the main threat targeting Canada most generally,” explained Brian McQuinn, an associate professor at the University of Regina who leads the project. “We are now beginning to shift.”
The system works by scanning foreign media sites for questionable claims, which are then verified by human fact-checkers. McQuinn cited a recent example where CIPHER identified a Russian outlet falsely reporting that Alberta was moving toward independence. While separatist movements exist in the province, no formal separation process is currently underway.
“Effective disinformation often has kernels of truth in it,” McQuinn noted.
CIPHER was launched three years ago following research that uncovered how pro-Kremlin social media accounts were targeting both far-right and far-left groups in Canada with false narratives about the war in Ukraine. These included baseless claims that Russia invaded to eliminate a neo-Nazi regime or that Ukraine was pursuing nuclear weapons.
According to McQuinn, the overarching goal of such disinformation campaigns is to fracture social cohesion and potentially incite violence. These campaigns become particularly effective when ordinary citizens share misleading content with friends and family.
“It is essential for China and for Russia, especially, to show that it looks like the Western project is decaying, is falling apart economically, politically, socially,” he said.
The researchers have identified the United States as an increasingly significant source of disinformation affecting Canadian discourse. This is partly due to the dominance of U.S.-based social media platforms in Canadian online conversations.
“We have seen that Canadian news and certain types of Canadian content are being downgraded and throttled within these algorithms,” McQuinn explained.
While artificial intelligence has contributed to the proliferation of disinformation, the CIPHER team determined that fighting technology with technology was necessary. “We are in an AI arms race around disinformation,” McQuinn said.
The researchers aim to eventually place CIPHER in the hands of government agencies or non-profit organizations. It is currently being utilized by DisinfoWatch, an organization dedicated to exposing falsehoods to Canadian audiences.
Marcus Kolga, founder of DisinfoWatch, has called for stronger legislation and regulations on digital media platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation through social media accounts.
“Us doing it alone is not sufficient enough. It requires technology and for us to harness existing technologies in order to sort of make up that gap that we have,” Kolga stated.
McQuinn confirmed discussions with government agencies about implementing CIPHER but declined to provide specific details. The project has received funding support from both federal and Alberta government sources.
For everyday Canadians navigating the complex information landscape, McQuinn offered practical advice: take a moment to consider content before sharing it on social media.
“If I’m going to forward something, what am I forwarding?” he said. “The research has shown if you just take like an extra 10 seconds, the amount of disinformation that gets transferred is significantly less.”
As digital misinformation continues to evolve in sophistication and reach, tools like CIPHER represent an important countermeasure in protecting the integrity of public discourse in Canada. The collaboration between academic researchers, technology experts, and fact-checking organizations highlights the multi-faceted approach needed to address this persistent challenge to democratic societies.
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8 Comments
Combating online disinformation is crucial, especially as it can sow social division and erode trust in institutions. I’m glad to see Canadian researchers taking a proactive approach with this AI-powered tool.
This is an important development in the fight against the growing threat of online disinformation. Glad to see the researchers are expanding the system’s capabilities to monitor a wider range of sources, including China and the U.S.
It’s concerning to see how effective disinformation campaigns can be, even when they contain some kernels of truth. Rigorous fact-checking and debunking efforts like this are essential.
I’m curious to learn more about how this CIPHER tool works in practice. Scanning foreign media sites and verifying claims with human fact-checkers sounds like a robust approach to curbing the spread of disinformation.
The example of the false reporting on Alberta’s independence is a good illustration of how effective disinformation can be when it mixes facts with fiction. Glad to see researchers tackling this challenge head-on.
While the focus on Russian disinformation is understandable, it’s smart that the researchers are broadening the system’s scope to include Chinese and U.S. sources as well. Disinformation can come from many angles, and a comprehensive approach is needed.
Interesting to see Canadian researchers leveraging AI to combat online disinformation. Tracking and debunking false narratives, especially those from foreign actors like Russia, is crucial to maintaining an informed public discourse.
Yes, the ability to quickly identify and correct misinformation is key. Expanding the system to monitor Chinese and U.S. sources as well is a smart move.