📋 Tender Overview
PROJECT ID
110479
TOTAL FUNDING
CAD 820,000.00
IDRC OFFICER
Ruhiya Seward
PROJECT STATUS
Active
DURATION
20 months
Description: Generative artificial intelligence (generative AI or genAI) is a groundbreaking technological advancement driving innovation and economic growth around the world. Predictions suggest that it will add trillions of dollars annually to the global economy in the coming decade. Generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) formed as large language models (LLMs) — like ChatGPT — are flooding the digital public sphere with capabilities that go well beyond creating unique content like images, text and videos. These GPTs, with much less human oversight, can now perform advanced reasoning, solve complex riddles and assist lawyers with legal assessments. Further, they are getting more sophisticated by the day. ?
Generative AI stands to disrupt far more. The same tools that can bridge information gaps and mitigate disinformation are also offering unprecedented avenues for dis/misinformation, which can impact governments, policy actors, civil society and advocacy organizations. They can also intensify the problems of online harassment, anti-democracy propaganda, hate group activities, electoral disinformation and the targeting of minorities. Because of the gap in ownership over the tools, platforms and resources, those who are most vulnerable may be at disproportionate risk due to a relative lack of access and capacity.?
This project aims to understand how these technologies impact information ecosystems, particularly in regions that are often underrepresented in AI development. This research aims to understand generative AI disinformation in the Global South, to build the field around current conceptions and futures of generative AI, and to inform practical policy recommendations for overcoming biases in LLMs. Together, this will help guide the development of equitable AI systems for responsible deployment in the Global South, build the capacity of researchers and organizations to understand, evaluate and apply genAI tools responsibly, and inform policy recommendations for responsible AI deployment in global majority regions.
