Prince Harry Warns of AI Risks and Disinformation During Colombia Visit

'We are no longer debating facts,' says Prince Harry on fake news - Times of India

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has raised concerns about the spread of false information through AI and social media, warning that "we are no longer debating facts." He made these remarks during a four-day visit to Colombia, where he and his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, were invited by the country's Vice-President, Francia Márquez. The couple arrived in Bogotá on Thursday and were warmly welcomed by Vice president Márquez, who extended the invitation after watching a Netflix series about their lives. On their first day, Harry and Meghan visited a school in Bogotá, where they spoke with teenagers about the impact of social media. They also participated in a summit on digital responsibility, organised in part by their Archewell Foundation. "What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn't true," Prince Harry said, emphasising the real-world consequences of online misinformation, reports BBC. The Sussexes, who have dealt with their challenges on social media, haven't disclosed who is funding their trip, which is neither a state visit nor an official royal event. However, they are receiving full security protection, something they no longer have in the UK since stepping down as working royals in 2020. Prince Harry also spoke about the fear and uncertainty many people feel regarding AI and its potential impact, stressing that "education and awareness" are crucial in combating misinformation. "It comes down to all of us to be able to spot the true from the fake," he said. "For as long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, then social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down." Vice-President Márquez described the visit as "very special," highlighting its focus on cyber issues and its potential to build bridges and promote women's leadership in Colombia. Meghan and Márquez shared a warm embrace upon meeting, while Harry and the vice president were seen shaking hands. The Sussexes are expected to continue their tour in Colombia, with plans to visit Cartagena and Cali. This is their second international trip this year, following a visit to Nigeria in May. At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.

Prince Harry urges caution on AI at start of trip to Colombia

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped away from official royal duties in January 2020 and now live in California, arrived in Colombia on Thursday at the invitation of Marquez and will tour the country. During a panel discussion at Bogota's EAN university on Thursday evening, Harry raised his concerns over the future of AI. Britain's Prince Harry urged caution over artificial intelligence and talked of social media as divisive during a panel in Colombia's capital Bogota alongside his wife Meghan and the Andean country's Vice President Francia Marquez. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped away from official royal duties in January 2020 and now live in California, arrived in Colombia on Thursday at the invitation of Marquez and will tour the country. During a panel discussion at Bogota's EAN university on Thursday evening, Harry raised his concerns over the future of AI. "AI is scary and I think a lot of people are scared and uncertain," the prince said. "One of my biggest worries is that for as long as social media is the way that it is, we will forever be divided. We're no longer arguing over facts, we're debating and arguing over misinterpreted information," he added. Harry and Meghan founded the U.S.-based Archewell Foundation, a non-profit that partners with charitable organizations around the world. After being greeted by Marquez in Bogota, the royal couple visited a school and spoke to pupils. They also took in a traditional Colombian dance performance, where Harry clapped his hands alongside Marquez, the country's first Black woman vice president and a former environmental activist. The couple are expected to travel this weekend to the western city of Cali to participate in the Petronio Alvarez festival, which celebrates Afro-Colombian music and culture. "Thank you for visiting Colombia, for being here, and for your willingness to come to share, and also to build links to work on problems that affect humanity, such as cyber-bullying, violence on social media, and discrimination," Marquez said.

Prince Harry Urges Caution on AI at Start of Trip to Colombia

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry urged caution over artificial intelligence and talked of social media as divisive during a panel in Colombia's capital Bogota alongside his wife Meghan and the Andean country's Vice President Francia Marquez. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped away from official royal duties in January 2020 and now live in California, arrived in Colombia on Thursday at the invitation of Marquez and will tour the country. During a panel discussion at Bogota's EAN university on Thursday evening, Harry raised his concerns over the future of AI. "AI is scary and I think a lot of people are scared and uncertain," the prince said. "One of my biggest worries is that for as long as social media is the way that it is, we will forever be divided. We're no longer arguing over facts, we're debating and arguing over misinterpreted information," he added. Harry and Meghan founded the U.S.-based Archewell Foundation, a non-profit that partners with charitable organizations around the world. After being greeted by Marquez in Bogota, the royal couple visited a school and spoke to pupils. They also took in a traditional Colombian dance performance, where Harry clapped his hands alongside Marquez, the country's first Black woman vice president and a former environmental activist. The couple are expected to travel this weekend to the western city of Cali to participate in the Petronio Alvarez festival, which celebrates Afro-Colombian music and culture. "Thank you for visiting Colombia, for being here, and for your willingness to come to share, and also to build links to work on problems that affect humanity, such as cyber-bullying, violence on social media, and discrimination," Marquez said. (Reporting by Bogota bureau; Editing by Frances Kerry)

Prince Harry urges caution on AI at start of trip to Colombia

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry urged caution over artificial intelligence and talked of social media as divisive during a panel in Colombia's capital Bogota alongside his wife Meghan and the Andean country's Vice President Francia Marquez. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped away from official royal duties in January 2020 and now live in California, arrived in Colombia on Thursday at the invitation of Marquez and will tour the country. During a panel discussion at Bogota's EAN university on Thursday evening, Harry raised his concerns over the future of AI. "AI is scary and I think a lot of people are scared and uncertain," the prince said. "One of my biggest worries is that for as long as social media is the way that it is, we will forever be divided. We're no longer arguing over facts, we're debating and arguing over misinterpreted information," he added. Harry and Meghan founded the U.S.-based Archewell Foundation, a non-profit that partners with charitable organizations around the world. After being greeted by Marquez in Bogota, the royal couple visited a school and spoke to pupils. They also took in a traditional Colombian dance performance, where Harry clapped his hands alongside Marquez, the country's first Black woman vice president and a former environmental activist. The couple are expected to travel this weekend to the western city of Cali to participate in the Petronio Alvarez festival, which celebrates Afro-Colombian music and culture. "Thank you for visiting Colombia, for being here, and for your willingness to come to share, and also to build links to work on problems that affect humanity, such as cyber-bullying, violence on social media, and discrimination," Marquez said. (Reporting by Bogota bureau; Editing by Frances Kerry)

Prince Harry hits out at spread of disinformation via AI and social media

Duke spoke at summit on digital responsibility while on visit with Duchess of Sussex to Colombia The Duke of Sussex has hit out at online disinformation during a four-day visit to Colombia, warning: "What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets." Speaking in Bogotá at a summit on digital responsibility, Harry said of the spread of false information via AI and social media: "People are acting on information that isn't true." The misinformation warning, on the first day of the tour of Colombia by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, did not name specific social media platforms, but Harry's comments followed criticism of the tech billionaire and owner of X, Elon Musk, and social media platforms after the far-right riots in the UK. Addressing experts at the summit, which was staged in part by Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation, the duke said in comments reported by the BBC: "In an ideal world those with positions of influence would take more responsibility. We are no longer debating facts. "For as long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, then social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down." The couple's visit is at the invitation of Francia Márquez, Colombia's vice-president, who told journalists she had been "deeply moved" by the Sussexes' Netflix docu-series about their lives. "It motivated me to say [of Meghan], 'this is a woman who deserves to visit our country and share her story', and undoubtedly, her visit will strengthen so many women around the world," said Márquez as she welcomed them to Bogotá. Márquez said she had previously invited the duchess to get involved with a "day of Afro-descendant women" which is commemorated annually on 25 July, but Meghan was unable to make it. "At that time, we sent her an invitation letter, and she responded saying that she couldn't come but was very eager to visit and get to know our country," Márquez said. It has not been confirmed who is funding the trip to Colombia, but the couple have reportedly been given a full security detail, which they no longer receive in the UK after stepping down as working royals in 2020. During the visit, which appears to follow the format of official royal visits, they are expected to spend time in Cartagena and Cali and attend the Petronio Álvarez festival, a four-day festival in celebration of Afro-Colombian music and culture. Their first day was spent in the capital, Bogotá, and saw them visit a school to meet teenagers at a session on online safety, watch a cultural showcase in which they joined in with the dancing, and attendthe digital summit looking at the urgent need to tackle the harmful aspects of technology and digital platforms. It is the Sussexes' third trip this year after a three-day visit to Nigeria in May and a visit to Jamaica in January.

Prince Harry urges caution on AI at start of trip to Colombia

During a panel discussion at Bogota's EAN university on Thursday evening, Harry raised his concerns over the future of AI. "AI is scary and I think a lot of people are scared and uncertain," the prince said. "One of my biggest worries is that for as long as social media is the way that it is, we will forever be divided. We're no longer arguing over facts, we're debating and arguing over misinterpreted information," he added. Harry and Meghan founded the U.S.-based Archewell Foundation, a non-profit that partners with charitable organizations around the world. After being greeted by Marquez in Bogota, the royal couple visited a school and spoke to pupils. They also took in a traditional Colombian dance performance, where Harry clapped his hands alongside Marquez, the country's first Black woman vice president and a former environmental activist. The couple are expected to travel this weekend to the western city of Cali to participate in the Petronio Alvarez festival, which celebrates Afro-Colombian music and culture. "Thank you for visiting Colombia, for being here, and for your willingness to come to share, and also to build links to work on problems that affect humanity, such as cyber-bullying, violence on social media, and discrimination," Marquez said. (Reporting by Bogota bureau; Editing by Frances Kerry)

Prince Harry warns fake online news leads to action on streets

Duke of Sussex speaks out at online safety summit during visit to Bogota, Colombia Fake news shared online directly leads to action on the streets, Prince Harry has warned in the wake of riots that swept the country. The Duke of Sussex, speaking at an online safety summit in Bogota, Colombia, cautioned that the continual spread of false information via AI and social media meant that social cohesion had "completely broken down". He said: "What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn't true. "It comes down to all of us to be able to spot the true from the fake." He added: "In an ideal world, those with positions of influence would take more responsibility. We are no longer debating facts. "For as long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, then social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down." His comments came after riots and disorder swept the country earlier this month following the killing of three girls in Southport. Rioting by far-Right mobs erupted following the deaths of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were killed on July 29 at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop. In the hours before the first riot in Southport, misinformation had spread online, including false claims that the suspect was a Muslim migrant who had arrived in a small boat. Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke at the two-and-a-half-hour Responsible Digital Future forum on the first day of their high-profile visit to Colombia that will touch on themes of anti-colonialism and female empowerment. The Duchess warned that everyone has either fallen victim to cyberbullying or knows someone who has suffered, noting that such behaviour was not restricted to those from certain backgrounds or sections of society. "It doesn't matter where you live. It doesn't matter who you are," she said. "Either you personally or someone you know is a victim to what's happening online. And that's something we can actively work on every day to remedy." She added: "We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them." The Duke said: "With the Archewell Foundation, me and my wife believe that information integrity is a fundamental right." Among the guests was Maria Ressa, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who joined the Sussexes' Time100 Talk on Engineering a Better World in 2020, and representatives from campaign groups such as ReThink Words and Encode Justice. The Duke and Duchess flew from Los Angeles to Bogota, where they will remain on Friday before visiting the walled town of San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas, near the coastal city of Cartagena, as well as Cali, a city known for its salsa dancing, over the weekend. The Duke and Duchess are being hosted during the four-day visit by Francia Marquez, Colombia's vice-president, who is known as a vocal champion of Afro-Colombians and women's rights. She got in touch with the Duchess last year to ask for her support, as a woman of African descent, in celebrating the International Afro-descendant Women's Day on July 25. Although the Duchess could not attend, she expressed a desire to visit Colombia, and Ms Marquez seized the opportunity. On Thursday, the vice-president revealed that she had been prompted to make contact with the couple after being "deeply moved" by their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, which streamed in December 2022 and focused heavily on the impact of racism and the legacy of British colonialism. She said of Meghan's contribution: "It motivated me to say 'this is a woman who deserves to visit our country and share her story', and undoubtedly, her visit will strengthen so many women around the world."