Calling its capability of “fanning the flame of disaffection very rapidly” in a country as diverse and large as India “worrying”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought the media’s help in educating people regarding the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology. Speaking to journalists at a Diwali Milan programme at the BJP headquarters, Modi spoke of the increasing efficiency of media outlets given the power of technology and social media even as he sought their help – citing an example of a deepfake video that shows him doing the garba – to educate and caution people about the inherent dangers that AI, especially deepfake technology, can pose and the crises they can trigger if misused. “.the effect of the fast-changing technological landscape has touched upon existing systems. Due to Artificial Intelligence and especially because of deepfake (technology), a new crisis has emerged. A significant section of Bharat is such that it does not have the means necessary for verification or to authenticate… People can fall prey to believing what they see to be true… and this will lead us towards a major crisis,” he said. Citing his own example – of a deepfake video of him doing the garba – which he said he had seen, the Prime Minister called the misuse of the technology “worrying” and said he had taken up the matter with representatives of global AI behemoth ChatGPT themselves. He said he had suggested that deepfake videos carry disclaimers identifying them as such. “.you can create whatever you wish through it. I just saw a video where I was doing garba; even I was impressed at how well it has been made… despite the fact that I haven’t done it since I was in school – I was very good at it… but I never got the opportunity to do it afterwards… but this video has been made now with the power of Artificial Intelligence… even those who feel affectionate towards me are forwarding it,” he said. “I don’t want to cite examples of others. That is why I gave my own example… this is a matter of worry… (for) a society like ours, which is full of diversity… When representatives from ChatGPT met me to discuss the way forward regarding this subject (AI). I told them that just like cigarettes carry warnings – that they are hazardous for health – whoever uses ChatGPT or AI like this… that should bear… ‘This is a deepfake’. then you enjoy it, do whatever you wish to… They said that this is their worry too… that they have created this, but how will this stop,” he said. He also sought the help of the media in highlighting the achievements of the government to create confidence around a “Viksit Bharat” among the people which, he said, was “no longer a word but ground reality” and within grasp by 2047 when India will celebrate its Independence centenary. “Talking about positive accomplishments creates confidence… There is no need to celebrate somebody, to bury lies and that is not what I expect of you either; but talking about things that have the capacity to take the country forward… We can strengthen them,” he said. Citing the example of the Dandi March, Modi spoke of the confidence regarding the possibility of attaining freedom that its coverage had created among the people despite the fact that the event had not initially captured the attention of the Indian media. “It was only when a foreign journalist reported on it that everyone was alerted to it… The impression about it earlier was mainly that some 250 people are walking on some small route… but that one journalist recognised that this event will strengthen a revolution… That became a turning point… it created the confidence of achieving freedom,” he said. Adding that India’s achievement during the Covid pandemic, compared to that of the world, had created confidence among the people that it will not stop succeeding, the PM urged media houses to identify and, through focussed reportage, look to finding solutions for respective issues. “.How can you help? How can you motivate people? More than 13.5 crore families being liberated from poverty is one topic… Let us make two crore women associated with self-help groups lakhpatis… Choose 10 cities… do events there… look for ways to increase, for instance, their economy from one trillion to three trillion… Come, let’s sit together and discuss it,” he said. “Keep the momentum up for two years… focus on finding how this city can become the economic engine for the state… and it will happen,” he said.
