The World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified misinformation and disinformation, amplified by advanced artificial intelligence, as the most immediate threats to the global economy. This finding was highlighted in the latest Global Risks Report, released ahead of the Davos summit. The report, based on a survey of nearly 1,500 experts, industry leaders, and policymakers, emphasized the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technology.

The report specifically expressed concern about the proliferation of sophisticated synthetic content, facilitated by generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which could manipulate public opinion. This risk is particularly significant as many countries, including major economies, are preparing for upcoming elections.

Carolina Klint, a risk management leader at Marsh, emphasized the potential for AI to exacerbate societal polarization and raise doubts about the legitimacy of democratic processes. The report also noted the potential for AI to enhance cyberattacks, automate phishing attempts, and embed biases in AI models through poisoned training data.

Alongside digital misinformation, the report identified environmental risks as major long-term threats. These include extreme weather, critical changes to Earth’s systems, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and natural resource shortages, highlighting concerns over an irreversible tipping point in climate change over the next decade.

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