Japan taps AI to defend against fake news in latest frontier of war

Updated security strategy calls for stronger response to disinformation campaigns

The dissemination of false information, on social media or elsewhere, is increasingly considered a security threat. © Reuters

HIROSHI ASAHINA, Nikkei staff writer

January 9, 2023 15:54 JST

TOKYO -- Japan plans to start using artificial intelligence to analyze foreign disinformation campaigns, bolstering its response to the spread of fake news across social media.

Disinformation campaigns are part of what is called cognitive warfare -- which involves manipulating public opinion and sowing dissent through social media and other channels. Given its potential reach, it is increasingly considered a sixth domain of conflict after land, sea, air, space and the cyber realm.