In a recent Maru Public Opinion survey, 48% of Canadians expressed a lack of confidence in distinguishing AI-generated online content from human-created material. This significant concern extends to the broader issue of online disinformation, with 71% doubting governments’ ability to regulate companies producing AI-generated content for social media use. The findings underscore the growing challenge of combating AI-generated disinformation and the widespread uncertainty surrounding online content authenticity in Canada.
Individuals who have recently arrived or are planning to immigrate to Canada may be more vulnerable to AI-generated fake content than the average Canadian due to factors like a lack of knowledge about AI-generated content and a strong desire to establish a permanent home. The following material aims to give immigrants to Canada an understanding of the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and provides helpful advice on how to safeguard themselves against the growing danger of misinformation on the internet.
The quick development of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) applications have dramatically increased in the last few historical periods. It finds applications in various industries, from social media (integrating chatbots) to banking and healthcare (automating tasks). AI has become a useful tool that helps human workforces by streamlining many elements of their work.
On the other hand, as AI has become more widely used, there are an increasing number of bad actors taking advantage of this technology for evil intent, such as spreading false information, harming families, and carrying out fraud. Interestingly, a media report story from June of this year detailed a concerning case in which con artists used voice-cloning artificial intelligence to trick a Saskatchewan mother out of over $7,000 by posing as her grandson.
In a broader sense, artificial intelligence (AI) has been actively used to fabricate deceptive images and other forms of information, misleading people into believing things that are not true. Perpetrators create these deceptive inventions, sometimes referred to as “deepfakes,” by extracting pictures from a real person’s records and transforming them into a three-dimensional avatar. Sumsub, an online identity verification service, published data showing that the frequency of deepfakes in Canada increased from 0.1% in 2022 to 4.6% in the first quarter of 2023.
Even though artificial intelligence (AI) undeniably benefits the Canadian workforce and daily life, it is crucial for Canadians, especially those in traditionally targeted categories like prospective and recent immigrants, to stay informed about AI. It is essential that they learn how to use this technology in order to protect themselves and their families from the dangers of false information found online.
Ways to protect yourself from AI-generated disinformation
It is crucial for foreigners entering Canada to understand that the federal and provincial governments of the nation are the only ones with the last say when it comes to immigration and temporary residency.
Considering all factors, it is prudent to treat information found on the internet with suspicion until a recognized government agency confirms it. The Canadian government provides a specific website with instructions for identifying false material found online, fact-checking tools, and more resources to help with this effort.
Among the advice given on this website are recommendations like:
Verify information by utilizing fact-check tools, confirming the content source, and cross-referencing with other reliable sources online
Newcomers to Canada can employ trusted online fact-checking resources to determine if a news article has been flagged as fraudulent. Fact Search by MediaSmarts is one such tool.
A legitimate piece of content evaluation should direct you to the original source. If the material you are looking at does not point you toward a reliable source, it is probably bogus.
It’s also a good idea to look for the same content across other websites. Even though AI is rapidly being employed for malicious purposes, the credibility of online content diminishes if it cannot be verified on multiple platforms.
Examine the profile picture, verification status, follower-to-engagement ratio, and look for typos to identify fake social network accounts
Fake social media accounts frequently lack a profile photo or utilize an image stolen from another website.
The existence of frequent, obvious typos is another clue that an account is fraudulent. Real and reliable sources usually uphold a standard of grammar and spelling correctness.
Furthermore, proceed with further caution when it comes to untrusted social media profiles that have a large number of followers but show signs of low involvement, such as few likes or comments. The Canadian government views this as a potential indicator of a fake account.
Perform a reverse image search
Use search engines such as Google to perform a reverse image search, which allows you to determine whether an image you find online is available elsewhere. This search technique, for example, is useful for determining whether an account’s profile picture is a duplication or for confirming a photo’s legitimacy by locating it in other online sources.
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