Lithuania Urges AI Regulation to Combat Disinformation Risks

Lithuania's Radio and Television Commission (LRTK) is urging a focus on disinformation risks as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms content creation. Mantas Martišius, the LRTK chairman, stated that AI significantly accelerates the speed and scale of information generation, making it easier to produce manipulative content.

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AI is rapidly changing the speed and scale of information creation. If previously creating convincing manipulative content required special skills, today it is often enough to use a few queries to an AI system. Therefore, along with technological progress, we must strengthen the public's ability to recognize manipulations and ensure the transparent use of AI.

"If previously creating convincing manipulative content required special skills, today it is often enough to use a few queries to an AI system," Martišius said in a statement. "Therefore, along with technological progress, we must strengthen the public's ability to recognize manipulations and ensure the transparent use of AI."

Martišius stressed that regulating AI must consider its impact on the information space and public trust. Data from the SIMODS study indicates that over 83% of disinformation on social media was not clearly labeled as synthetic or AI-generated. Scientific research suggests AI is becoming a crucial part of the disinformation ecosystem, enabling faster creation of realistic texts, images, and audio, while also offering tools for detection and fact-checking.

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When talking about AI regulation, we must see not only the technologies but also their impact on the information space and public trust in information.

The LRTK is actively monitoring disinformation, applying EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), and collaborating with online platforms. A draft law to implement the EU's AI Act was submitted to the Lithuanian Seimas in June. This act sets rules for AI systems based on risk levels and includes transparency requirements for AI-generated or manipulated content to help users identify it.

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To ensure these technologies strengthen, rather than weaken, public trust in information, not only clear legal regulation but also consistent public education, institutional cooperation, and constant monitoring of the information space are necessary.