AI governance can no longer stop at bias testing or model transparency. If AI systems generate content that influences public perception, economic decisions, and institutional legitimacy, then governance must extend to the integrity of that content. Digital media risk is no longer peripheral to AI governance; it is central to it.
Last week, we argued that AI governance must expand beyond model-level controls and address the risks created by AI-generated content itself, “Digital Media Risk Governance”. This week, real-world developments show that this shift is no longer theoretical. Synthetic media, misinformation, and failures of authenticity are now influencing regulation, law enforcement priorities, and global risk assessments. The issue is no longer whether deepfakes exist. The issue is whether our governance systems are structurally prepared for them.
1. Misinformation Is Now Ranked a Top Global Risk
The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2024 ranked misinformation and disinformation as the top short-term global risk.
Source: World Economic Forum - Global Risks Report 2024
The report specifically highlights the role of AI-generated content in amplifying misinformation, especially around elections and geopolitical tensions. This matters because global risk assessments influence policy, enterprise risk planning, and regulatory direction. When misinformation becomes a top-ranked global risk, digital media integrity becomes a governance priority, not a niche concern.