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Blinken says fighting disinformation 'vital US national security interest', says technology must sustain democratic values

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the need to make sure that technologies sustain democratic values, speaking at the third edition of democracy summit in Seoul, South Korea.

March 18, 2024 / 17:29 IST
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A file photo of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, DC. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster via AFP/Getty Images)
A file photo of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, DC. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster via AFP/Getty Images)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the need to make sure that technologies sustain democratic values, telling a democracy summit on Monday that authoritarian regimes deploy them to undermine democracy and human rights. Blinken spoke at the ministerial conference of the third Summit for Democracy, a US-led initiative held in Seoul, South Korea, this year.

Fighting disinformation including AI-enabled content is a "vital" national security interest and diplomatic priority for the US, Blinken said, adding, "Revitalising democracy will also require us to shape the technological future, that's inclusive, that's rights respecting, directed at driving progress in people's lives."

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Saying that digital technologies, including both social media and Artificial Intelligence, were "dramatically accelerating the speed and spread of disinformation," Blinken outlined US efforts to push back against the issue.

"As authoritarian and repressive regimes deploy technologies to undermine democracy and human rights, we need to ensure that technology sustains and supports democratic values and norms," he said, "Building a more resilient information environment is a vital US national security interest and an urgent priority for our diplomacy."