Artificial Intelligence Security Threats in Central Asia Addressed at Astana Summit

Central Asian countries and international partners gathered on November 6 at the Aqaba Process summit in Astana to address AI-driven security threats such as deepfakes, online fraud, and extremist propaganda.

Deepfakes, online fraud, and extremist propaganda are among the growing challenges for the region. With the development of artificial intelligence technologies, imitating voice or imagery has become easier and cheaper, while many new risks, ranging from fraudulent calls to disinformation, are emerging. These issues extend beyond being merely a technological debate, concerning public safety, trust in information, and the capacity of governments to act together.

The meeting in Astana was attended by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, the foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan, the parliament speaker of Azerbaijan, and other officials. Launched in 2015 by the King of Jordan to combat terrorism and violent extremism, the Aqaba Process once again highlighted the importance of digital security on the regional agenda.

Deepfakes consisting of audio, photos, and videos created or altered with artificial intelligence can be used to spread fake statements by politicians, provoke ethnic or religious tensions, and manipulate public opinion. Additionally, criminals can convince people to transfer money by imitating the voices of relatives or bank employees. Countries in the region are combating these threats through laws, cybercrime prevention systems, and public warnings.