Japan workshop helps young voters spot deepfakes ahead of general election
Digital platforms are trying to curb the adverse impact of disinformation and fake news on Generation Z ahead of Japan’s election on Sunday
Social media-savvy young swing voters are emerging as a key demographic for political parties, and some digital platformers are trying to curb the adverse impact of disinformation and fake news on Generation Z by sharing tips ahead of Sunday’s general election.
Around 20 junior high and high school students took part in a recent workshop held in Tokyo designed to help them understand the importance of knowing where information comes from and accessing primary sources, as the emergence of deepfakes has made things complicated.
The participants, working in groups, discussed how to determine whether information is reliable, using real-life examples such as an image created by generative artificial intelligence, a composite made from multiple photos, and misleading edits and content. They also learned about the risks posed by fake accounts.
During the workshop, a lecturer asked the teenagers whether they noticed anything odd in an image showing a candidate giving a speech atop a campaign car in front of Shinjuku Station.
The seemingly authentic image was created by generative AI and included a misspelled station name and fake banners hung on a wall of a building.
“I couldn’t find any errors in those AI-generated images. It made me realise I may have overestimated my ability [to spot fake news],” said an 18-year-old high school senior, who is voting for the first time in Sunday’s general election.