A wave of artificial intelligence-driven misinformation and disinformation that could influence key looming elections poses the biggest short-term threat to the global economy, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has said. Misinformation is false or inaccurate information, while disinformation is deliberately false content, which can be used to spread propaganda and sow fear and suspicion. In the short-term, the five biggest risks are perceived to be misinformation and disinformation; extreme weather events; societal polarisation; cyber insecurity and interstate armed conflict. In the longer term, the five top risks are identified as extreme weather events; critical change to earth systems; biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse; natural resource shortages; and misinformation and disinformation. Two-thirds of those polled were worried about extreme weather events in 2024, but there were differing views on the urgency of the risks posed.

Source: The Guardian January 11, 2024 20:41 UTC