THE misinformation he is one of the greatest risks faced by humanitywarns the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report Davos published today, as over the next two years three billion people in the world will be called to the polls to elect their leaders.

“The widespread use of disinformation and the tools that enable its dissemination can undermine the legalization of the newly elected governments”, warns the report published a few days before the start of the work of the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 15-19).

“The problems caused could range from violent demonstrations and hate crimes until civil conflicts and terrorism».

Five key concerns for the next two years

Over the coming years, voters will be asked to choose new leadership in a number of major economies such as Bangladeshthe Indiathe Indonesiathe Mexicothe Pakistanthe United Kingdom and the United Statesreminds the World Economic Forum of Davos.

In addition to the dangers of misinformation in the form of false information (fake news) that is transmitted inaudibly and of misinformation in the form of false information that is transmitted intentionally and on purpose, risks caused by Artificial Intelligence and social polarizationthis year added “the concerns regarding his persistent crisis cost of living“, notes the Forum in a statement.

And with many wars ongoing, interstate armed conflict is among the top five concerns for the next two years.

The extreme weather conditions and critical changes in the Earth’s environmental systems take first place as a greater concern in the longer term, over a decade horizon. Here are the two forms of misinformation and the negative consequences of artificial intelligence.

The Global Risks Report, a product of a partnership with the Swiss insurer Zurich Insurance and the American Marsh McLennan, is based on the opinions of more than 1,400 risk assessment experts, political actors and business leaders based on the questions asked to them in September 2023.

Two thirds of respondents consider that one class of multipolarity or fragmentation will take shape in the coming decade, an order in which medium and large powers will compete, set and reinforce regional rules and norms.

“World leaders must come together to address the short-term crises or to lay the foundations for a more stable, sustainable and inclusive future,” according to Saadia Zahidi, director general of the International Economic Forum.

The president of the International Economic Forum Børge Brende said during a press conference that the work of the Forum will coincide with a complex international geopolitical situation burdened by a series of issues starting from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and reaching the rising debt and cost of living.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, French President Emmanuel Macron, new Argentine President Javier Millay, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will participate in the proceedings. of the Davos Forum among the 60 and more heads of state and government that will be present.