Unesco warns against AI-generated Holocaust denial

The United Nations cultural organization Unesco and the World Jewish Congress are warning that artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to deny the Holocaust and falsify history. As many young people are already using AI for education, entertainment and other purposes, it is urgently necessary to guide the new technology ethically. Unesco has already drawn up the guidelines for this.

Generative AI is based on large amounts of data from the internet, which also contains misleading content and human bias. This could misrepresent information about certain events and reinforce prejudices, according to the report "AI and the Holocaust: rewriting history?" by Unesco and the World Jewish Congress. If developers did not monitor AI tools sufficiently, they would also be trained based on Holocaust denier websites.

In addition, AI enables malicious actors to falsify content such as witness testimonies and historical records of the Holocaust. Deepfake images, videos and audio content created with generative AI are particularly convincing for young people who may encounter them on social media. Generative AI models also tend to invent events and historical phenomena if they do not have access to sufficient data. What's more, such systems could be actively manipulated.

Algorithmic bias

Another problem identified in the report is that search engines and AI bots can be "algorithmically biased". Facts about the Holocaust are downplayed and right-wing extremist content is promoted. AI also tends to simplify complex issues. If lesser-known events of the Holocaust are omitted, this promotes stereotypical representations and limits the understanding of this past - which is still tangible for the people of Europe and North Africa.

"If we allow the terrible facts of the Holocaust to be diluted, distorted or falsified through the irresponsible use of AI, we risk the explosive spread of anti-Semitism and the gradual deterioration of our understanding of the causes and consequences of these atrocities," said Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay. The Unesco recommendations on the ethics of artificial intelligence must be implemented urgently so that the younger generation grows up with facts and not fakes.

Unesco urges the developers of AI tools to ensure that their products respect the principles of human rights. Politicians should draw up the relevant rules for companies so that they curate their AI content transparently and fairly. Education should focus more on AI and the skills it requires so that learners can recognize disinformation and bias.

Today, June 18, has been designated by the UN as the International Day for Combating Hate Speech. In protest against hate speech on the social network X, 47 organizations have announced that they will shut down their accounts there. The World Jewish Congress also founded an Institute for Technology and Human Rights today, Tuesday. Its main aim is to combat anti-Semitism on the internet and its real consequences.

(anw)