Developing a Platform for Detecting Dis/Misinformation in Mongolia with AI

This is a paid opportunity. In order to be eligible to apply for this project, you need to be part of the Omdena community and have finished at least one AI Innovation Challenge.

You can find our upcoming AI Innovation Challenges at https://omdena.com/projects. 

The problem

The project addresses the pervasive challenge of mis/disinformation in Mongolia, particularly focusing on political topics during election times. Mis/disinformation, encompassing both deliberately false information (disinformation) and mistakenly shared false information (misinformation), poses a significant threat to the integrity of electoral processes and the health of democratic societies. In Mongolia, where political dynamics are increasingly influenced by digital platforms, the rapid spread of such information can skew public perception, manipulate voter behavior, and undermine trust in democratic institutions. This issue is not only a concern for the public and policymakers but also poses a challenge for civil society organizations striving to promote transparency, accountability, and informed citizenry.

The impact of mis/disinformation is multifaceted and deeply concerning. Firstly, it can lead to the polarization of society, creating divisions based on manipulated facts and narratives. This polarization can hinder constructive dialogue and exacerbate tensions among different community groups. Secondly, the spread of false information can significantly influence electoral outcomes, potentially delegitimizing election processes and results. Such outcomes can erode public trust in elected officials and democratic institutions, leading to increased cynicism and disengagement from the democratic process. Thirdly, mis/disinformation can impede the ability of citizens to make informed decisions, a cornerstone of democratic participation. When voters are misled by false information, their decisions may not reflect their true preferences or the best interests of society.

This initiative, emerging from a collaboration between Omdena and a globally recognized Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Mongolia, seeks to tackle these challenges head-on. By enhancing a system designed to detect mis/disinformation using advanced Machine Learning (ML) techniques, the project aims to provide civil society organizations with the tools they need to identify and counter false information effectively. This effort is crucial for safeguarding the integrity of Mongolia’s electoral processes and fostering a more informed and inclusive society. Through phases of extension, testing, refinement, and performance optimization, the project is dedicated to developing a solution that is not only precise and unbiased but also accessible and user-friendly for a wide range of stakeholders.

The project goals

The goal of this project is to fortify the fight against mis/disinformation in Mongolia, particularly during critical political periods like elections, by enhancing an AI-powered detection platform. This initiative is set to progress through a series of planned phases:

• Phase Extension: Building on the achievements of the previous Machine Learning (ML) development phase, this stage aims to leverage advanced ML techniques and innovations. The focus will be on incorporating the latest advancements in AI and ML to enhance the platform’s ability to detect and analyze mis/disinformation more effectively.
• Testing and Refinement: A critical phase where the current solution undergoes rigorous evaluations to identify any inaccuracies, biases, or other issues that could compromise its effectiveness. This stage is dedicated to meticulously analyzing the platform’s performance, with the objective of pinpointing specific areas that require improvement. Subsequent refinements will be made to elevate the model’s precision, ensuring that biases are minimized and the tool’s reliability is maximized.
• Performance Optimization: The final phase focuses on fine-tuning the tool’s performance to achieve optimal efficiency and user-friendliness. This involves making adjustments based on testing outcomes and stakeholder feedback to ensure the platform meets the diverse needs of its users effectively. The goal is to deliver a solution that is not only powerful in its analytical capabilities but also accessible and easy to use for stakeholders from various backgrounds.

Thus, this project aims to deliver a refined and optimized AI-powered detection platform that showcases significant improvements in identifying and countering mis/disinformation in Mongolia. This initiative is expected to have a profound impact on enhancing the integrity of information during election times, providing civil society organizations and the general public with a reliable tool to combat the spread of false information, thereby contributing to a more informed and democratic society.

**More details will be shared with the designated team.

Why join? The uniqueness of Omdena Top Talent Projects

Top Talent opportunities come as a natural next step after participating in Omdena’s AI Innovation Challenges.

Everyone in the community is eligible to participate once they have shown the relevant skills based on the merit of involvement in past Omdena challenges and the community.

If you are looking for the next challenge after participating in one or more Omdena AI Innovation Challenges, then we believe you have made the right choice! With a healthy, pressured environment, you will be pushed to contribute, learn and grow even more.

Find more information on how an Omdena Top Talent Program works