Fake news menace: Fact-checking chatbot to curb misinformation

THE Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MI&B) is set to take a major technological leap in its fight against misinformation and fake news with the launch of a fact-checking chatbot.

- PARVEZ SULTAN @ New Delhi

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has already put in place an institutional mechanism as part of its Fact Check Unit (FCU) to ensure swift, coordinated responses to fake news.

According to the minister of information and broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot will also provide details to a query about a subject or claim which has already been factchecked in the past.

"We have got a fact-check chat board made and tested it. It will be launched after final testing. After you put a query, it will produce information from even a year ago. The chatbot will also have a 'search' option," said officials.