AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes have been identified as the second most significant short-term global risk in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026, prompting renewed efforts to strengthen global standards for digital content authenticity.
Speaking after attending the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Fabian Thiele, founder of IPT Earth and a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) AIII Technical Exchange Network, outlined key discussions from the AI and Multimedia Authenticity Standards (AMAS) workshop.
According to Thiele, one of the major conclusions from the event was that the global standards landscape is becoming increasingly comprehensive, with initiatives such as C2PA, CAWG, DIF, SMPTE and ISO addressing different aspects of digital authenticity. He noted, however, that ensuring interoperability between these frameworks remains a critical challenge.
Thiele also argued that establishing the authenticity of genuine content at the point of creation may prove more effective than relying solely on the detection of manipulated media, as advances in AI generation continue to outpace detection technologies.
Another emerging focus, he said, is the expansion of authenticity protections beyond digital works to include individuals’ identities, voices and likenesses, reflecting growing concerns over AI-enabled impersonation and identity misuse.
The discussions also examined cross-border regulatory challenges, media trust, and the development of global frameworks for AI content provenance, bringing together experts from international organisations, academia and industry.
The AMAS workshop was held as part of the AI for Good Global Summit, jointly supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). According to participants, the event underscored the growing international consensus that stronger authenticity and provenance standards will be essential in combating AI-driven misinformation while protecting creators and the public.
