A London-based charity organization Full Fact has disclosed that it's Artificial Intelligence (AI) suite will be deployed during the upcoming general election in Nigeria to combat misinformation and fake news through fact-checking and campaigns.
It can be recalled that on the 3rd of February 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed agreements with tech giants, Meta and Google, to tackle misinformation and fake news during the forthcoming general elections.
Full Fact, a company indirectly funded by google after receiving a $2 million grant from Google.org will be deploying its services in collaboration with International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) members Africa Check, Dubawa, and FactCheckHub.
Full Fact AI suite is said to be robust and scalable. The suite is designed to assist fact-checkers and organisations focused on promoting accurate information.
The suite that will be deployed for the forthcoming elections is said to contain three tools, The Search tool, which helps identify the most significant statements to fact-check each day by monitoring online media, social media, and RSS feeds; The Alerts tool, which informs fact-checkers of repeat instances of previously fact-checked false information, allowing them to act quickly and insert accurate information into public discourse; and The Real-Time tool, which offers an instant transcription of election debates, interviews, and town halls, eliminating the need for manual transcription and providing a record of fact-checkable claims.
The company has disclosed that it will be providing training and support to its local fact-checking partners during the election process.
According to Will Moy, CEO of Full Fact, “Every vote should be an informed vote. We’ve seen firsthand how bad information spreads during an election and it can’t be allowed to undermine democracy. Our AI tools, with support from Google.org, help fact-checkers stay ahead of false claims and promote accurate information. We’re proud to support our partners in Nigeria during this important time.”
In addition to what Will Moy noted, Dawn Dimowo, Nigeria's Google Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager, added that “At Google.org, we’re dedicated to using our resources and technology to make a positive impact on society. Continuing our support for Full Fact in Nigeria is an exciting opportunity to help stop the spread of misinformation and promote accurate information during the election.
“This builds on our ongoing efforts to support local fact-checking initiatives. We’re proud to support this important project and make a positive difference in the world.”
