NEC Corporation is working on a new AI-based technology aimed at analyzing the trustworthiness of information on the Internet. This development is part of a project sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to create technologies that address false and misleading online content.
The technology will be tested by organizations like the Japan Fact-check Center and various media outlets, including broadcasters, from August 2024 to March 2025, with the goal of increasing its reliability.
Technology Overview
With the rise of misleading information online, there is a growing need for effective countermeasures. Fact-checking organizations and media companies often face significant labor demands in verifying the accuracy of information. NEC is addressing this issue by using AI and Large Language Models (LLM) to assist in fact-checking processes.
How the Technology Works
This AI technology analyzes multiple forms of data—text, images, video, and audio—to assess whether content is false or misleading. It first detects whether images or other data have been manipulated, then converts all types of data into text. Using LLMs designed for misinformation analysis, the AI evaluates the accuracy of the information, verifies the reliability of the sources, and checks for inconsistencies between the data types (such as contradictions between text and video).
Additionally, the system generates detailed reports similar to those produced by human fact-checkers, helping to streamline their operations. Users can customize the technology by deleting unreliable information or adding updates as needed.
Evaluation and Future Applications
The Japan Fact-check Center and media organizations will evaluate the technology’s effectiveness, with the goal of preparing it for practical use by FY2025-2026.
This development is part of NEC’s “BluStellar” value-delivery model, which focuses on using advanced technologies to help solve societal and business challenges through digital transformation.
For more information, visit the Japan Fact-check Center here.