More than 60 countries are set to hold national and regional elections in 2024, making it the biggest election year in history. However, there is a growing concern about the influence of misinformation and disinformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI) on these elections. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 states that misinformation and disinformation will be a significant global risk in the coming years, with the potential to widen societal and political divides.
To address this challenge, experts have pointed out the potential of blockchain technology in combating misinformation. Paul Brody, Global Blockchain Lead for Ernst & Young (EY), emphasizes the need for a solution to combat the surge in fake news. EY has developed a blockchain-based traceability solution called “OpsChain” that performs document notarization using Ethereum public infrastructure.
OpsChain, currently leveraged by ANSA, an Italian news agency, ensures the authenticity of news articles by storing publication details and IDs as immutable blocks on the Ethereum blockchain. When an article is published, it includes an “ANSACheck” sticker, allowing readers to verify its originality and if it has been republished.
This same process of data verification can be applied to election data. By using blockchain technology and APIs, entities can create timestamps for data on the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring its independence from other parties. All transactions are confirmed within 15 seconds of execution, providing a secure and transparent system for verifying election data.
In addition to blockchain, cryptographic signatures can also be used to verify data. Lit Protocol, a distributed key management network, leverages multi-party computation (MPC) threshold cryptography to ensure the integrity of data. Cryptographic signatures add an extra layer of security and authenticity to the verification process.
As the threat of misinformation and disinformation looms large over the upcoming elections, the adoption of blockchain technology and cryptographic techniques can help maintain trust and transparency in the democratic process. By leveraging these technologies, countries can safeguard the integrity of their elections and combat the spread of fake news.
FAQ Section:
1. What is the main concern regarding the upcoming elections in 2024?
The main concern is the influence of misinformation and disinformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI) on these elections.
2. How does the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 describe the impact of misinformation and disinformation?
The report states that misinformation and disinformation pose a significant global risk in the coming years, with the potential to widen societal and political divides.
3. What potential does blockchain technology have in combating misinformation?
Experts believe that blockchain technology can be used to address the challenge of misinformation. It provides a solution for verifying the authenticity of news articles and election data.
4. What is OpsChain, and how does it combat fake news?
OpsChain is a blockchain-based traceability solution developed by Ernst & Young (EY). It ensures the authenticity of news articles by storing publication details and IDs as immutable blocks on the Ethereum blockchain. It allows readers to verify the originality and republishing of articles.
5. How does blockchain technology ensure the integrity of election data?
Using blockchain technology and APIs, entities can create timestamps for data on the Ethereum blockchain. This ensures the independence of the data from other parties and provides a secure and transparent system for verifying election data.
6. What role do cryptographic signatures play in data verification?
Cryptographic signatures, such as those used by Lit Protocol, add an extra layer of security and authenticity to the verification process. They ensure the integrity of the data and further enhance the trustworthiness of the information.
Definitions:
– Misinformation: False or inaccurate information that is spread, often unintentionally.
– Disinformation: Deliberately false or misleading information spread with the intention to deceive.
– Blockchain: A decentralized and distributed ledger technology that securely records and verifies transactions across multiple computers.
– Ethereum: A blockchain platform that supports the creation of decentralized applications using smart contracts.
– Cryptographic signatures: Digital signatures that provide Integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation for online transactions or documents.
– APIs: Application Programming Interfaces that allow software applications to communicate with each other.
Suggested Related Links:
– World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024
– Consensys
– Ethereum
– Lit Protocol
The source of the article is from the blog enp.gr