Experts warn that the information crisis AI poses a serious threat to global economic stability and social welfare. Eleven leading economists, including two Nobel laureates, urge governments to protect independent, verifiable information. Public interest media is essential for well-functioning markets, exposing fraud, corruption, and misinformation.
The panel highlighted that AI could worsen disinformation, allowing state and private actors to manipulate facts. Around 90 countries faced foreign state-sponsored information attacks in 2024. Independent journalists are under growing political and financial pressures, while profits from traditional media models are declining.
Without reliable information, nations cannot address climate change, pandemics, or economic inequality effectively. The experts argue that free media underpins decision-making in trade, investment, and public policy. Failure to act risks what Nobel laureate Maria Ressa calls “an information Armageddon.”
The panel calls for governments to invest in public interest media and foster pluralistic, independent news ecosystems. They suggest national and multilateral funds, safeguards against government capture, and regulatory frameworks suitable for AI-driven economies. Global cooperation is critical to sustain these initiatives.
Early efforts are underway, including an upcoming international conference hosted by France and Ghana to tackle the crisis. Leaders must act now to prevent the information crisis AI from weakening economic growth, social welfare, and the benefits of technological innovation.