FactCheckAfrica has unveiled Africa’s first artificial intelligence, AI-powered fact-checking platform, named ‘MyAIFactChecker’ to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation on the continent.
FactCheck Africa, an initiative of a Nigeria-based non-profit organisation, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), was launched in 2022 as an independent, non-partisan and non-profit fact-checking platform for Africans.
Speaking at the unveiling of the AI-powered platform on Monday, the Global Director of BBYDI, Abideen Olasupo, said MyAIFactChecker was a product of months of dedicated effort and research, with support from BECERA and the U.S State Department, noting that the initiative would revolutionalise how Africans verify news and other online information.
He added: “MyAIFactChecker is a demonstration of our organisation’s unwavering commitment to combating the scourge of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, thereby safeguarding the integrity of information. This platform leverages cutting-edge AI technology, is user-friendly, and allows you to verify the authenticity of news, social media posts, and other online content quickly and conveniently.”
Olasupo further disclosed that the innovative platform would provide users with a range of functionalities, including a chatbot interface, feedback mechanism, and voice search capability that is available in English, Swahili, French, Arabic, and several popular local languages in Nigeria.
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According to him, the launch of MyAIFactChecker comes at a critical time, as the proliferation of disinformation and harmful content continues to pose significant threats to the integrity of elections, democracy, public health, and stability in African nations.
The BBDYI global director, who said the impact of fake news and disinformation on elections could not be waved, expressed optimism that his organisation’s newly introduced AI fact-checking would help combat the spread of disinformation in African nations preparing to hold elections this year.
“It is worthy to note that 2024 is a year of elections in Africa as about 24 countries on the continent will hold elections this year. During electioneering periods, there is always a proliferation of fake news, and its attendant consequences could negatively impact the electoral process. With the launch of MyAIFactChecker, we are poised to curb the spread of misinformation and disinformation before, during, and after elections in these affected countries.
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