In a significant move to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in media, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media, Salman Al-Dosari, has unveiled the country’s first “Principles of AI Ethics in Media.” The announcement, made during the Saudi Media Forum 2024, establishes a national framework aimed at curbing the spread of AI-generated misinformation and ensuring responsible use of the technology.
The new charter was developed by the Ministry of Media in collaboration with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). It provides clear guidelines for media organizations, content creators, and platforms operating within the Kingdom, as the digital information landscape continues to accelerate.
Quick Facts
- New AI ethics charter for media
- Mandates disclosure of AI-generated content
- Prohibits deepfakes and misleading information
A National Stand Against Misinformation
The charter explicitly forbids the use of AI technologies to create or publish any fake or misleading content, with a specific focus on “deepfakes” and other deceptive or abusive materials. It mandates that all relevant public and private sector entities must implement effective measures to monitor and mitigate violations. This provision is designed to build a foundation of trust and reliability in the media sector.
Mandating Transparency and Disclosure
A core principle of the new guidelines is mandatory disclosure. Any individual or organization that produces, modifies, or publishes journalistic content using AI must clearly state its use. This can be done through methods like special watermarks or direct public notification.
The document stresses that the need for disclosure becomes more critical when the content has the potential to influence public opinion, health, or human behavior, ensuring audiences are aware of how the information they consume is created.
Protecting Privacy and Combating Bias
The charter establishes strict protections for individual privacy, prohibiting the use of any person’s image, voice, or data via AI without explicit consent or legal justification. This rule is particularly aimed at preventing impersonation, defamation, and psychological or social harm.
Furthermore, the document rejects the use of AI for any content that incites violence or hatred, promotes negative stereotypes, or harms the reputation or rights of individuals and groups.
Fostering Accountability and Training
The framework emphasizes transparency and accountability, requiring even platforms and media outlets to disclose the role of algorithms in promoting and ranking content. The use of AI, the charter makes clear, does not absolve anyone from legal or ethical responsibility, and penalties will be applied for any violations.
Alongside the charter, officials announced the establishment of a “Center of Excellence for AI in Media” and the launch of training camps to equip professionals with skills for the responsible use of these technologies. The underlying message is that while AI is a powerful tool, humans retain the primary role in content creation and verification.
About the National AI Ethics Charter in Media
The National AI Ethics Charter in Media is a regulatory framework developed by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). It aims to govern the responsible use of AI in the media sector, focusing on transparency, accountability, privacy protection, and preventing the spread of misinformation and deepfakes.
Source: Jawlah
