News Story

Building Trust and Preempting Misinformation: Prof. Harith Alani on Combating Disinformation in Central Banking

Nancy Pontika, Tuesday 26 Nov 2024

Harith Alani, Director of KMi, was interviewed by Central Banking journal about the growing disinformation threat faced by central banks. He highlighted that while disinformation often originates externally, its real damage arises when false claims are amplified locally. Alani emphasised the importance of proactive strategies, such as fostering trust and increasing transparency, to prevent false narratives from gaining traction, rather than relying only on reactive corrections.

Alani also underscores the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in both exacerbating and alleviating these issues. He warns that AI-driven deepfakes and misinformation will become more convincing, complicating efforts to combat disinformation. However, AI tools also present opportunities, as they can be used to predict, detect, and prevent misinformation, offering organisations new ways to protect their reputations. Furthermore, Alani suggests that central banks collaborate with existing fact-checking organisations rather than creating their own, thus pooling resources for a more effective response to misinformation.

KMi is one of the leading labs in developing advanced technologies for tracking and combating fake news and hate speech, and Alani’s insights underline the importance of central banks not only engaging with the public through communication but also preparing for potential disinformation crises with robust strategies. His emphasis on pre-emptive communication and building long-term trust offers a strategic approach to safeguarding institutions from the growing digital misinformation threat.