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A fake Newsday article, generated by AI and posted repeatedly on social media, falsely portrays Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo as promoting a fake investment scheme. Newsday has published no such article. Other media houses have also fallen victim to similar fake social media posts. - MINISTER of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Dominic Smith said the prevalence of online scams in TT will be fought by an inter-ministerial committee created on September 11 by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
He gave that assurance in a motion on the adjournment of the Senate on October 29 moved by Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, who complained of scammers making deep-fake videos impersonating former president Anthony Carmona and Republic Bank former chairman Ronald Ramkissoon promoting investment scams.
Vieira said, "Deep-fakes can exploit image, voice or likeness.
"We now face a growing threat from deep-fake technology, AI-generated audio-visual manipulation, that also affects the music industry by created unauthorised sounds, voice mimicry and impersonations."
He said such developments posed a serious threat to public trust, reputation, intellectual property and the authentic economic value of creative work.
"Deep-fakes that exploit image, voice or likeness risk infringing on copyright, related rights and rights of publicity."
He said the British All Party Parliamentary Group on Music recommended laws to protect artists' personalities, mandate transparent labelling of AI-generated content and require permission for AI-model training on creative work. Vieira said the UK music industry said UK law already required permission to use artists' work for AI.
"In the US, Tennessee's Elvis Act – ensuring likeness, voice and image security – enacted in March 2024 is the first statute specifically targeting unauthorised AI-generated voice or likeness of performers, and it criminalises such use."
He said the US had a Take It Down Act signed in May mandated platforms to remove non-consensual deep-fake intimate imagery promptly, imposing penalties for non-compliance. Vieira said 200 US artists had signed a proposed No Fakes Act to curb deep-fakes with notice and take-down procedures, with protections consistent with free speech.
Vieira urged action in TT in face of the defrauding of prominent public figures and the evolving threat to the creative sectors.
"I propose the government consider, first in terms of legislative protection, the introduction of persona protection rights."
He said that would empower public figures and artists to control the use of their image, voice and likeness, akin to the UK proposals or Elvis Act.
Denmark, he said, is changing its laws to ensure each person has the legal right to their facial and other features.
"Perhaps the government can launch a public campaign to raise awareness of deep fakes (and) how to recognise and report them."
He suggested TT collaborate on the matter with Caricom and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, and seek out best practice from the UK, US and European Union.
Smith: AI disinformation a major global risk
Smith, in reply, said the government recognised that AI was no longer a distant phenomenon but was now a defining force in governance, security and mostly importantly public trust.
He hailed Persad-Bissessar for creating his ministry, and thereby signalling to the world that the government took seriously both the opportunities and risks offered by AI, and was committed to building sustainable safeguards. Smith accused the former government of an implementation deficit, but said in the government's mere six months in office it had accomplished four out of its eight goals.
"We are not afraid to bell the cats, because in times like this hard decisions have to be made."
Mulling regional collaboration, Smith said be happened to be president of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).
"Under my very brief presidency the CTU has established a task force on AI and risk."
The committee brings together experts from across the region to craft collective strategies, Smith said.
"This is a government that engages stakeholders. We listen before we act."
Saying those actions aligned with global concerns, he said the Word Economic Forum had cited AI disinformation as one of the top five global risks over the next two years, costing hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Smith said in that context, the government had taken steps in its mere six months in office, not taking nine years, as he cited the tenure of the former government.
"The cabinet, led by the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, on Thursday, September 11, approved the establishment of an Inter Ministerial Steering Committee on Cyber Security and AI.
"We on this side are all about action."
He said the committee would co-ordinate a national policy and report quarterly on relevant threats.
"We will build capacity in law enforcement to combat AI-driven fraud and scams."
He said the committee would involve representatives of his ministry, plus from the Ministries of Homeland Security and Finance, and Offices of the Prime Minister and Attorney General.
Smith said the government's actions had been proactive, so that technology would serve the public good.
"As the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) reminds us, resilient digital infrastructure is now as critical as roads and bridges."
He said the UN Office on Drugs and Crime had urged governments to protect citizens from AI fraud. "I can tell you, Senator Vieira, TT is doing exactly that through the government of TT.
"We are ensuring AI is a tool for development, not exploitation. Rest assured, Senator, we are active, able and seeking the interest of our people."
English (US) ·