experts Urge Government Intervention to Safeguard Facts Ecosystems in the Age of AI
A distinguished panel of economists and academics is calling for urgent government action to address a “global information crisis” and ensure the benefits of the Artificial Intelligence revolution are not undermined by deteriorating information ecosystems. The group, including nobel laureates Joseph Stiglitz and Daron Acemoğlu, argues that proactive policies are needed to foster self-reliant, pluralistic, and reliable information sources, particularly in crucial areas like health and education.
The experts advocate for an “information industrial policy” designed to incentivize a dynamic and independent media landscape, coupled with carefully managed regulation appropriate for an AI-driven economy. This policy, they stress, must prioritize public needs and oversight in both developed and developing nations, and actively reward factual reporting over misinformation.
“Governments need to actively shape information markets in ways that foster independent, pluralistic and reliable information sources,” the panel asserts.
The call to action highlights the need for multilateral cooperation, citing the International partnership for Information and Democracy as a framework for shared learning and best practices in policy interventions. A significant step forward is the upcoming International Conference, to be hosted by the Presidents of France and Ghana, aimed at strengthening the global response to the information crisis. The panel urges more world leaders to embrace this agenda with urgency.
Without decisive intervention, the experts warn, the continued deterioration of information ecosystems will jeopardize global prosperity and social welfare, diminishing the positive impacts of AI. “The moment to act is now,” they conclude.
The signatories of this call include:
* Prof. Joseph Stiglitz (Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2001, Columbia university, Founder and Co-President: Initiative for Policy Dialog, Chief Economist for the Roosevelt Institute)
* Prof. Daron Acemoğlu (Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2024, Institute Professor at MIT, Faculty Co-Director of MIT’s Shaping the Future of Work Initiative and a Research Affiliate at MIT’s newly established blueprint Labs)
* Prof. Philippe Aghion (Professor at the Collège de France,INSEAD and the London School of Economics)
* Prof. Sir Tim Nourish (School Professor of economics and Political Science and W. Arthur Lewis Professor of Development Economics in the Department of Economics at London School of Economics)
* Prof. Dr. Francesca Bria (Honorary Professor IIPP, UCL london, EuroStack Project Leader, Chair, New European Bauhaus Facility, European commission, President Innovation Agency ART-ER, Italy)
* Prof. Diane Coyle (benett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge)
* Dr. bombage cheesy (President, Human Capital Africa and Founder School of Politics, Policy and Governance)
* prazza MAZISCATO (Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London, UCL, and Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, IIPP)
* Prof. Atif mian (John H.Laporte, jr. Class of 1967 Professor of Economics,Public Policy and finance at Princeton University)
* Profi Andrea Prat (Richard Paul Richman Professor of Business at Columbia Business School and Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics,Columbia University)
* Dr. Vera Style (Chair and Founder, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, and Non Resident Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development, Brookings)
