Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has granted $2 million to Nigerian Fact Checkers to fight against misinformation during the country’s forthcoming general elections.
The grant will enable the Nigerian Fact Checkers to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to identify and tackle misinformation in the country, News About Nigeria reports.
The grant will be used by Full Fact, a UK-based charity, which will collaborate with local organizations, including Africa Check, Dubawa, and FactCheckHub. Full Fact’s AI technology will be used to stop the spread of misinformation during the election. The technology has already seen remarkable results, with a 1,000x increase in claim detection since 2015.
Dawn Dimowo, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Google Nigeria, stated that Google.org would continue to use its resources and technology to make a positive impact on society. She also expressed her excitement to help stop the spread of misinformation and promote accurate information during the election.
The Full Fact AI tool will offer instant transcription services and real-time fact-checking during debates, speeches, and throughout the election process to increase the speed and accuracy of information dissemination. It will also provide training and support to local fact-checking partners during the election process.
Misinformation is a significant problem in Nigeria, with many people having limited access to accurate information. The emergence of organizations and initiatives aimed at countering the spread of misinformation and promoting accurate information in Nigeria has not been enough to tackle the problem effectively. With the help of AI technology, Full Fact is determined to make it harder for false and misleading claims to spread and erode trust in democracy.
Will Moy, the Chief Executive Officer of Full Fact, believes that every vote should be an informed vote. Moy expressed his concern over how bad information spreads during an election and how it should not be allowed to undermine democracy. He believes that AI tools, with support from Google.org, help fact checkers stay ahead of false claims and promote accurate information.
