The last day of the International Strategic Communication Summit (Stratcom Summit'24), organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications in İstanbul, kicked off with video messages from Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Dr Tawfik Jelassi and United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming.
Following the video messages, the programme proceeded with a session entitled "Deterrence and Defence in a Time of Information Threats: A Conversation," moderated by BBC News Anchor and Correspondent Louisa Pilbeam and delivered by NATO's Assistant Secretary-General for Public Diplomacy Marie-Doha Besancenot.
"We must join forces to address the complexity of AI"
Addressing the audience with a video message, Jelassi thanked Türkiye for holding an event like Stratcom Summit'24 and said, "By bringing together the world's prominent leaders, experts and professionals in strategic communication under the theme of AI and Communication Trends, Traps and Transition, you have demonstrated leadership in fostering a dialogue on one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The Turkish proverb that says, one hand has no sound, but two hands can clap, reminds us of the necessity of collaboration in addressing the complexities of AI."
"We must join forces, governments, civil society and the private sector to create meaningful solutions in addressing the complexities of AI," Jelassi said and pointed out that these technologies, however, present profound challenges such as the proliferation of disinformation, the ethical governance of AI, and the urgent need for digital skills.
Jelassi stated that UNESCO will continue working with its 194 member states, civil society organisations, and private sector companies to ensure that AI-driven communication technologies promote human dignity, equity and peace.
''The UN is striving towards a vision of a healthier information landscape''
In her video message address, Fleming pointed out that the digital age allows us to reach billions of people at the same time and said, "Rapid advances in AI are also revolutionising how we communicate. Communicators around the world are currently adopting new tools across sectors, including within the UN We and my team are exploring the use of generative AI to support our content production, for example.''
Noting that these tools create new opportunities and also new challenges, Fleming said, ''The UN is not sitting idly by. We are seeking ways to harness AI for the public good, bringing the world together to agree on shared principles for its governance.''
Fleming stressed that the UN is striving towards a vision of a healthier information landscape, one in which damaging content is no longer promoted and disinformation is no longer monetised.
''Disinformation and misinformation are both harmful, but one is deliberate''
Following the video messages, Besancenot thanked Türkiye for organising an event such as Stratcom Summit'24.
Besancenot emphasised that the masses are divided and that the tools developed should be privatised so that they are accessible to all.
Stating that NATO has been investing in some technological tools for years, Besancenot highlighted the usage of big data tools.
Besancenot stressed that deterrence against disinformation and misinformation is at the heart of NATO's mission and remarked, ''Disinformation and misinformation are both harmful, but one is deliberate.''
