pt.euronews.com
AI-Fueled Disinformation Spikes in Portugal
The IBERIFIER report details a surge in AI-fueled disinformation in Portugal (March-May 2025), using images of Ronaldo and Montenegro to promote fraudulent investment schemes, coinciding with political instability and other significant events.
- How did the political climate and current events in Portugal contribute to the spread of AI-generated disinformation during this period?
- This disinformation campaign coincided with Portugal's political crisis, immigration debates, and the Pope's death/election, amplifying its impact. Deepfakes and AI-edited screenshots added legitimacy to fraudulent claims.
- What long-term societal consequences might arise from the increased use of AI to manipulate public opinion and spread disinformation, based on the Portuguese case study?
- The report highlights the use of AI to fuel divisive narratives, particularly anti-immigrant sentiment and climate change denial. This demonstrates AI's potential to exacerbate social and political tensions.
- What were the most prominent figures exploited in AI-driven disinformation campaigns in Portugal during the first trimester of 2025, and what was the primary method of dissemination?
- Between March and May 2025, AI-generated disinformation in Portugal surged, per the IBERIFIER report. Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Montenegro's images were misused to spread false investment schemes.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The report frames the issue as a serious threat, emphasizing the negative consequences of AI-generated disinformation, particularly during the Portuguese election. While this is a valid perspective, a more balanced approach could also acknowledge efforts to combat disinformation and the potential benefits of AI in fact-checking and verification. The use of strong words like "explored" and "fraudulent" in relation to the use of public figures' images contributes to this framing.
Language Bias
While the report uses strong language at times (e.g., "fraudulent," "serious threat"), this is mostly appropriate given the gravity of the topic. However, phrases like "invasão muçulmana" (Muslim invasion) are loaded and could benefit from more neutral alternatives, such as "alleged increase in Muslim immigration." The repeated emphasis on violence and replacement narratives related to immigration could be mitigated with more diverse perspectives.
Bias by Omission
The report focuses heavily on Portugal and Spain, with only brief mentions of other countries. While it acknowledges the global nature of AI-driven disinformation, a more comprehensive geographical analysis would strengthen the findings. The report also omits details about the methods used to detect and verify the disinformation campaigns, which could impact the reliability of its conclusions. Omitting information on the scale and reach of these campaigns across different social media platforms also impacts the overall understanding of the issue.
False Dichotomy
The report doesn't present a false dichotomy, but it does tend to frame the issue as a simple case of 'AI creating disinformation,' which may oversimplify the role of human actors in the process. The creation and spread of disinformation is a complex issue involving multiple actors and motivations, not simply the technology itself.
Sustainable Development Goals
The spread of AI-generated disinformation has fueled political polarization, hindering fair elections and potentially undermining democratic processes. The manipulation of public figures' images to promote fraudulent investment schemes constitutes a financial crime, further impacting the stability of institutions. The use of AI to spread false narratives about immigrants fuels xenophobia and social unrest, undermining social cohesion and trust in institutions.