SINGAPORE, July 30, 2024 – A significant majority of Singapore consumers are increasingly worried about the potential impact of deepfakes on the next election, according to new research from Jumio. The study reveals that 83% of Singaporeans fear that AI-generated deepfakes could manipulate political outcomes, while 76% have become more skeptical of online content due to these technologies.
Jumio, a leading provider of AI-driven identity verification and compliance solutions, conducted the 2024 Online Identity Study to assess public sentiment on the influence of AI and deepfakes in political processes. The study, conducted by Censuswide, surveyed over 8,000 adult consumers across the UK, US, Singapore, and Mexico between March 25 and April 2, 2024. Censuswide follows the Market Research Society’s code of conduct based on ESOMAR principles and is a member of The British Polling Council.
The findings highlight a growing concern over the erosion of trust in politicians and media, as advanced AI technologies make it easier to create convincing fake news, altered images, videos, and audio recordings. Recent instances have demonstrated the real-world implications of deepfakes on politics. In Indonesia, AI was used to manipulate social media before February’s elections, including a video of a long-deceased general endorsing the incumbent. Similarly, Singapore is considering a temporary ban on political deepfakes ahead of the next general election, which must occur by November 2025. South Korea implemented a 90-day ban on deepfakes before its April 2024 election.
Key findings from the study include:
- Widespread Concern: 83% of Singapore consumers are worried about AI and deepfakes influencing their upcoming elections, compared to 75% globally.
- Eroded Trust: 76% of Singaporeans report increased skepticism towards online content since the last election.
- Confidence in Detection: 60% of Singapore consumers believe they can easily spot a deepfake of a political figure or celebrity, compared to 33% in the UK, 37% in the US, and 51% in Mexico.
- Trust in Online Political News: Despite the risks, 66% of Singaporeans trust political news they see online, higher than the global average of 43%.
“With half of the global population participating in elections this year, the potential influence and impact of generative AI and deepfakes demand our immediate attention,” said Robert Prigge, CEO of Jumio. “Public faith in online information is crumbling, demanding a transparent discourse to confront this challenge and empower citizens with the tools to discern and report deepfakes. Online platforms hold a critical duty to leverage cutting-edge detection measures like multimodal, biometric-based verification systems to fortify our defenses against deepfakes influencing pivotal elections.”
The Jumio study underscores the urgent need for robust measures to combat the spread of deepfakes and maintain the integrity of democratic processes.