With Elections Looming in PNG, Efforts Are Underway to Address AI Misuse
ABC News
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Details
- Date Published
- 19 July 2026
- Priority Score
- 3
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 20 July 2026, 04:01 am
Description
From ChatGPT to Google's Gemini, the use of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is all around us and like with all technology, it can be used for good and bad.
Summary
Papua New Guinea is drafting new cyber legislation to mitigate the risks of AI-generated deepfakes and disinformation ahead of their upcoming national elections. Researchers from the University of New South Wales and the University of Technology Sydney have collaborated to develop an automated fake news detector utilizing Large Language Models capable of reasoning in Tok Pisin and English. This initiative represents a critical regional application of frontier AI governance, highlighting the potential for AI-driven information operations to destabilize democratic processes in volatile political landscapes.
Body
Papua New Guinea authorities are drafting new cyber laws to counter the misuse of AI-generated images, deepfakes and voice cloning, but with the Pacific's largest country heading into an election next year, there are concerns that AI will be used to trick voters and spread disinformation in an already volatile political landscape.As part of efforts to address the problem, researchers from the University of New South Wales and the University of Technology Sydney, alongside the Media Council of PNG, proposed an automated fake news detector tailored for Papua New Guinea. It combines machine learning for rapid screening and Large Language Models for contextual reasoning in Tok Pisin and English.The PNG Media Council says it is also looking at ways to combat misinformation, "We've initiated an initiative, which we're calling the media information integrity initiative and it's the industry ethical application of AI tools," said the chair of the PNG Media Council, Neville Choi."It would include a dashboard across newsrooms to detect disinformation and have that channelled via social media and mainstream media to show that there's pieces of information that people should not trust."Image DetailsVoting in some provinces has been postponed because of disputes or logistical failures.(ABC News: Eric Tlozek)Program:More from Pacific BeatPacific, Papua New Guinea, AI, Cyber Crime, Elections Appears In "It's a monetary transaction" - East Sepik Governor says about Taiwan office closure Duration: 48 minutes 11 seconds48m 5itemsIn this episode1 of 5'It's a monetary transaction': East Sepik Governor says about Taiwan office closure Duration: 2 minutes 58 seconds2m 58s2 of 5Separatist groups target catholic churches in West PapuaDuration: 6 minutes 40 seconds6m 3 of 5PlayingWith elections looming in PNG, efforts are underway to address AI misuseDuration: 7 minutes 34 seconds7m 4 of 5Ni-Van womens conference held to outline concerns for Pacific Innovation ForumDuration: 5 minutes 49 seconds5m 5 of 5Cream of Pacific talent battling it out for FIFA Under 17 World Cup spotsDuration: 10 minutes 12 seconds10m