THERE is an idiom “Nip the Evil in the Bud”. We, as a nation, because of our own mistakes,
and ambitions in the pursuit of game of thrones have created numerous Frankenstein, who have come back to haunt and torment this country and its citizens. The architects of the so-called fifth generation hybrid war, lacked the intellect and competence to comprehend its fallout, in case of misuse. Such technological skills should have been used to counter foreign hybrid attacks and not for local political maneuvering. While freedom of expressions is guaranteed, hate speech is not and neither is spread of fake news, or intentional disinformation. Rapid advances in computer technology, have resulted in creation of artificial intelligence. Its use should be regulated by the state and confined to scientific research, education, medicine, exploration, motivation, crime control etc. Strict legislations must be adopted and enforced to prevent its abuse and misuse. Failure to do so, can lead to chaos, unrest, spread of terrorism and extremism, sectarian and ethnic strife etc. to an extent that it can threaten state sovereignty and national security. Such regulatory controls are essential in countries like Pakistan, where the vast majority are illiterate simple folk, who follow politicians, almost like cults.
A classic example of this is the recent release by an Indian politician Edappadi K, GS of AIADM, as part of his general elections campaign, an AI-generated speech by the iconic former CM Tamil Nadu, Miss Jayaram Jayalalitha, who died in 2016, on her 76th birth anniversary. The AI clip was used to appeal to the public to support him. Such AI generated messages have been circulated by Modi’s BJP to incite anti-Muslim sentiments in India. This was also used in Manipur against the Christians. Israel has been using AI in the pursuit of its Greater Israel campaign and justify Gaza genocide. AI generated video clips were circulated, allegedly depicting Hamas fighters in murdering infants and raping women, on 7th October 2023, which have been spread by pro-Zionist media in the West to mould public opinion to their advantage. Even prominent Western TV media houses, initially were either misled, or were deliberately part of this viscous campaign, to justify ruthless killing of over 34,000 innocent unarmed citizens, including over 24,000 women and children. They have destroyed almost 60% of civilian houses, all hospitals, schools etc. in Gaza. Thousands of citizens buried under tons of debris remain unaccounted. Mass graves have been found within the vicinity of hospitals that were raided and occupied by IDF, on the pretext that they were used by Hamas as “command and control centers”. Even the Palestinian University was demolished. All this was being done in their pursuit of Greater Israel, based on their version of history. AI has been used by Israel’s IDF in the ruthless genocide being carried out. In fact, Gaza is being used as a laboratory to develop AI Warfare technology. In America, former President Trump is using AI in his election campaign to mislead his followers, who worship him blindly like a cult.
In Pakistan AI is being used to spread extremism and polarization. Failure by the State to regulate AI will result in successful campaign by our known foreign enemies to create chaos and promote insurgencies in this country. Pakistan is already a victim of terrorism, funded and aided by RAW and other such agencies. Prominent BJP political leaders, including their NSA have publicly acknowledged their policy of carrying our cross-border operations in Pakistan. RAW trained and assisted by MOSSAD has adopted this practice of carrying out targeted killings. Canada has publicly accused India of carrying out targeted killings of Sikh nationals on their soil. Strict punitive legislation should be passed to punish those who use AI to speak fake news etc. and there should be no exceptions. A recent video clip by the keyboard warriors based in USA, associated with a political party, is being circulated, which shows Khawaja Saad Rafique praising IK. There are numerous such AI fabricated video clips being circulated. Pakistan cannot afford such miscreants to spread disinformation within the country. Immediate punitive action must be taken and those involved in aiding and abetting spread of fake information, using AI, must be punished. The enormity of the damage to this country, will be immense, if the state does not act against all those involved in such unethical practices. Freedom of expression, like all other fundamental rights, is not absolute, but subject to laws of the land. This right cannot be used to create chaos and harm lives of innocent citizens. AI generated videos are being used in making child pornography videos and character assassination of individuals and for blackmail, especially women. Its unethical misuse can trigger religious sentiments, which can result in death and destruction. Pakistan already facing political instability and an economic quagmire, cannot afford any such misadventures. If sanity does not prevail, the State must enforce its writ to prevent abuse of AI and social media. However punitive action should be transparent, across the board, with no exceptions, otherwise it will not be successful in curbing this menace.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
Email: mtrqa213@gmail.com
