AI a ‘ticking time bomb’ if left unchecked, says President

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a “ticking time bomb” if left unregulated, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has warned.

Speaking at a World Press Freedom Day brunch at State House in Georgetown on Saturday, President Ali said AI could destabilise societies if not governed by clear ethical and professional standards.

“If we don’t do it, it is a ticking time bomb. If we don’t ensure that AI is utilised especially when it comes to the press and information dissemination. Information is so powerful because it can destabilise instantaneously with very little time to respond.”

The President called for a regional approach to regulation within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), highlighting the challenges posed by the evolution of media platforms and content creators.

The traditional definitions of media, he said, are being reshaped by digital technologies, but stressed the importance of accuracy, responsibility, and reliability in the information shared with the public.

“Who is more relevant – someone who can meet 300 million people in a second or someone that can meet 3,000 persons in a day? These are very important questions. The ones who might be reaching 300 million people might have the reach but are they responsible and reliable? So, how do we manage this when the speed, accuracy, reliability and relevance go at odds with each other?” he asked.

On this note, he underscored the need for governments to implement policy reforms and introduce legislation to address both the potential and the risks of AI.

He also pointed out that political leaders now communicate in new and increasingly public ways, altering the dynamics of journalism. He encouraged media practitioners to acknowledge these changes and adapt accordingly.

Looking ahead, the President told the gathering that Guyana would establish a national framework for AI and digitisation within the next 12 months.

“We as a country must have, within the twelve months, a clearly defined framework for AI and digitisation in every sphere of national life [and] every sphere of public life. Because it is going to drive national and public life in ways that we have never seen before.”

The President also plans to present a paper on the evolving definition of the media at the next CARICOM Heads of Government meeting.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day is being observed under the theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”