from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – NAMIBIA is wary of the prevalence of artificial intelligence-generated content, which it says tarnishes the image of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her office.
In the latest such incident, a video has gone viral claiming the president had taken control of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy following the dismissal of Natangwe Ithete as minister of the portfolio.
Ithete has also lost his position as Deputy Prime Minister.
The Presidency distanced itself from the video and its contents.
“It is false and misleading,” Nandi-Ndaitwah’s office stated.
“We caution the public not to be deceived by AI-generated content intended to distort facts and damage the image of the President and the Presidency.”
The president’s office alerted that all official updates were shared only through the Presidency’s verified social media platforms and communication channels.
The abuse of AI is in the spotlight in Namibia.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Frans Kapofi, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, to oversee the portfolio of Industries, Mines and Energy on an interim basis.
Nandi- Ndaitwah and Ithete have in recent months been depicted in AI-generated video promoting a scam government investment scheme.
The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has also been featured.
Last week, the Southern African country signed the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Cybercrime, in Vietnam.
– CAJ News