“I Doubt, Therefore I Am” Webinar: How the public contributes to fighting misinformation through the AFCN Chatbot?
September 11, 2024
The Arab Fact-Checkers Network (AFCN) from ARIJ conducted a webinar titled “I Doubt, Therefore I Am”. The webinar featured a live demo of the “AFCN Fact-Checking Chatbot,” a tool that helps the public audience to verify the accuracy of any information, image, video, or link via WhatsApp. This initiative is part of the “Sa7” project and supported by the French Media Development Agency (CFI).
The webinar attended by 120+ participants from +25 countries, was moderated by AFCN Manager, Saja Mortada, Chatbot’s Editor, Fatima Bani Ahmad, and the Chatbot fact-checkers: Mahmoud Ghazayel from Lebanon, Enas Mziani from Libya, and Ahmed Gamal from Egypt.
Saja Mortada, highlighted the role of AFCN’s chatbot which launched in April 2023, and the integration of AI in combating misinformation. She explained how the chatbot responds to public inquiries individually, allowing the public audience to verify any news or information they find questionable. The system also provides an educational opportunity for users to learn more about fact-checking and subscription in AFCN newsletter.
Bani Ahmad shared that 13 fact-checkers are working within the Chatbot team, reviewing over 1,200 claims—including images, videos, texts, and audio clips—since its launch up to the webinar date. She also clarified what types of fact-checkable and non fact-checkable contents through the Chatbot.
The fact-checking priorities of the chatbot have focused on significant events and widespread misinformation, such as the war on Gaza and on South Lebanon, the conflict in Sudan, and natural disasters in Libya and Morocco. The speakers also discussed the challenges of fact-checking during elections, which often witness a surge in misleading information.
The panelists described their experiences with the chatbot as unique. Mahmoud Ghazayel remarked, “This experience is pioneering for us as fact-checkers, being the first of its kind in the Arab world.” He also noted how AI within the chatbot facilitated quicker and more precise verification processes. Enas Mziani reflected on how the experience deepened her expertise, revealing areas for personal improvement in her fact-checking career.
Ahmed Gamal echoed his colleagues’ sentiments, emphasising the effectiveness of the AFCN Chatbot in raising public awareness about fact-checking. He explained that the chatbot responds to claims quickly and easily, offering concise yet comprehensive information. “The ability to provide complete and brief information simultaneously is a feature you’ll only find with the chatbot,” he added.
The speakers stressed that fact-checking is a crucial tool in combating the spread of misinformation, particularly during times of crisis. They encouraged the public to continue using available fact-checking tools and to work together in fostering a collective awareness of the importance of verifying news before sharing or believing it.
During the webinar, participants tested live the chatbot and sent it different types of claims. If you encounter any news/photo/video/link you have questioned, you can send it to us via AFCN Chatbot.
