Malaysia is taking a revolutionary step in the fight against misinformation with the launch of an AI-powered chatbot on WhatsApp. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced this innovative approach to tackling misinformation in Malaysia after the launch of the ‘Jelajah Hawana Bersama Siswa 2024’ programme. This tool will help verify the authenticity of information shared on the widely used messaging platform.
Image via Malay Mail
The Communications Minister elaborated on the new chatbot’s capabilities. “We are developing a WhatsApp chatbot to help verify topics or circulated content,” he said. Initially, the tool will focus on text verification, with plans to expand to videos and images. “Using AI, we will be able to confirm if a video is old, if any action has been taken, or what exactly the content is,” he added.
“Many people share videos from platforms like Facebook or TikTok on WhatsApp and often seek verification on these issues. These could be future features, but the text verification is almost ready to be launched immediately,” he stated.
WhatsApp was chosen for this initiative due to its widespread use in Malaysia. “We see Malaysians are very comfortable with WhatsApp, and a lot of misinformation is spread through this platform. So, we will bring the fight against fake news to WhatsApp,” Fahmi explained. The chatbot, yet to be named, will make it easier for users to verify information and reduce the spread of false content.
Fahmi assured that the AI verification process is quick, taking just a few seconds. “I have tested the system, and it is quite efficient. We are also ensuring it can interact in several languages, including Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil,” he said. This multilingual capability is crucial for making the tool accessible to a diverse population, ensuring language barriers do not hinder its effectiveness.
On the topic of security concerns, Fahmi offered reassurance that he does not anticipate any security challenges arising from this project. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance when encountering information online, particularly on social media platforms.
“While we are in the final stages of preparation before its official launch, I urge all Malaysians to always be cautious with any information received. If unsure, don’t share it,” he added.
Source: here
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