Speaking at the opening of the Summit for Democracy being
held in Seoul, Yoon said countries had a duty to share experiences and wisdom
so that artificial intelligence and technology could be employed to promote
democracy.
“Fake news and disinformation based on artificial
intelligence and digital technology not only violate individual freedom and
human rights but also threaten democratic systems,” Yoon said.
South Korea is hosting the third Summit for Democracy
conference, an initiative of U.S. President Joe Biden aimed at discussing ways
to stop democratic backsliding and erosion of rights and freedoms.
Digital threats to democracy, and how technology can promote
democracy and universal human rights, are expected to be the main agenda of the
3-day meetings attended by representatives from more than 30 countries, ranging
from Costa Rica to the United States and Ghana.
Blinken later said 2024 was an “extraordinary election year”
to highlight the risks of disinformation and falsehoods in cyberspace. He also
repeated Washington’s accusations that Russia and China are behind global
campaigns aimed at manipulating information.