The adverse effects of artificial intelligence (AI) and misinformation are expected to become some of the most significant global risks over the next decade, according to data from Techopedia.
More than 900 experts from academia, business, and politics have expressed concerns over AI’s potential to deepen societal polarisation and increase instability.
The increasing impact of AI has been highlighted by the rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI subsidiary of High-Flyer Capital Management. Previously little-known outside specialist circles, DeepSeek has gained attention with the release of its large language model, DeepSeek-R1. This model is designed to demonstrate “reasoning” capabilities, using a structured “chain of thought” process to analyse and respond to complex problems.
Market reactions to DeepSeek’s rapid growth have been mixed. The company’s rise has coincided with fluctuations in tech stocks, although major players in the AI sector continue to report strong financial performance. Meta, for example, has shifted focus from its metaverse division to generative AI, reporting a fourth-quarter revenue increase of 21 percent to $48.39 billion.
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Microsoft has also exceeded expectations, with revenue up 12 percent to $69.6 billion and operating income rising 17 percent to $31.7 billion. The company’s AI business alone has reached an annual revenue run rate of over $13 billion, marking a 175 percent increase year over year.
The Rising Risk of AI-Driven Misinformation
Despite the financial success of AI-driven enterprises, concerns remain over the risks posed by the technology. Misinformation is expected to persist as a major global threat. AI tools have enabled the creation of false information at an unprecedented scale, raising concerns over societal division, radicalisation, and political unrest.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report identifies misinformation as a continuing threat but highlights the adverse outcomes of AI as the most significant new technological risk by 2035.
Neil Roarty, an analyst at Techopedia, said, “The meteoric rise of DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and other AI firms in the last few years have presented numerous benefits and opportunities for businesses and society as a whole, but the risks cannot be ignored. Deepfake images and videos and misinformation created by AI are only set to rise, and the world is going to have to adapt to these risks quickly as they become more prevalent and potentially more severe.”
One notable risk for HR professionals is the rise of AI-generated CVs. According to Remote’s 2024 Global Workforce Report, 76 percent of hiring leaders in the UK have encountered CVs generated by AI containing false information, with 25 percent noting this occurs frequently. Three quarters of UK companies believe that AI-generated CVs have contributed to an increase in under-qualified applicants.
Even a non-malicious use of AI may have drawbacks. A recent poll by the CIPD found that 63% of people would trust artificial intelligence (AI) to inform – although not to make – important work decisions. HR and recruitment professionals are among the most active adopters of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, including in recruiting. This has caused some concern that, if trained on faulty data, AI may perpetuate or even exacerbate hiring biases which are already embedded in workplace culture.
