Ashwini Vaishnaw highlights 4 great challenges created by Big Tech

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday highlighted the four key challenges created by Big Tech due to the rapid shift in media from traditional to digital.

During his address on the National Press Day, the Union minister expressed concerns over fake news, unfair compensation for traditional media, algorithmic bias and the impact of AI on intellectual property rights in the evolving media landscape.

Four challenges we face today;1. Fake news & disinformation2. Fair compensation by platforms3. Algorithmic bias4. Impact of AI on Intellectual Property pic.twitter.com/TWoYZEUQD2
Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) November 16, 2024

Here are the four challenges outlined by Vaishnaw in his speech:

1) Challenge of fake news and disinformation

The minister said that the rapid spread of fake news is turning into a "big threat" for the media and democracy since it undermines trust.

He said that digital platforms often fail to verify content, leading even informed citizens to fall victim to false information.

Vaishnaw also raised concerns about the relevance of the 1990s "safe harbour" construct, which was designed when digital access was limited but now seems outdated in a world where nearly everyone has access to digital platforms.

He spoke about the need for platforms to take greater responsibility, especially in diverse societies like India, where cultural, linguistic, and regional sensitivities demand careful consideration. "Shouldn’t there be different metrics for the platforms? Shouldn't there be more responsibility on the platforms? This question needs to be debated in our social context," he said.

2) Fair compensation for conventional media

The minister said that the shift from traditional to digital media is financially impacting conventional outlets, as their significant investments in journalists, training, editorial processes, and accountability are overshadowed by the unequal bargaining power of digital platforms.

"The efforts made by conventional media in creating content need to be suitably compensated," he said.

He mentioned the global debate on the asymmetric relationship between content creators and platforms.

3) Algorithmic bias on platforms

Vaishnaw also touched upon the vexed topic of algorithmic bias in digial media, saying that platforms design algorithms that show context which incites strong reactions from the users - regardless of its factual accuracy.

" ... these algorithms are designed to maximise engagement. Because the engagement defines the revenue so maximising the revenue becomes the objective of the platform," he said.

The minister said misinformation and such algorithmic bias in India can have serious social consequences and there have been multiple instances of that already.

Calling the approach "irresponsible and dangerous", the minister urged platforms to determine solutions that account for the impact their systems have on the society.

4) AI impact on IP rights

He said that the rise of Artificial Intelligence is disrupting the creative world as content from musicians, filmmakers, writers and other creators is being utilised by AI models without clear safeguards for intellectual property rights.

"What happens to the IP rights of the creators? Are they being compensated or acknowledged for their work?" asked Vaishnaw.

He pointed out that AI models generate music and content using vast databases of existing works.

"Under such changes in the technology, what is the safeguard for the original content creators? This is not just an economic issue; it is an ethical issue also," he said.

'We must create consensus'

The Union minister said that the challenges are a result of the changing landscape of India and the whole society has to work together to address them.

Vaishnaw said there is a need to have an open debate around this and create a consensus.

"We have to create more discussions around it and we need to rise above politics because these challenges are affecting the very fabric of our society," he said, warning that the challenges will become more prominent in the coming days.