Experts Discuss Preventing Colour Revolutions Amid AI Advancements at Phnom Penh Forum
PHNOM PENH – The Third Phnom Penh Forum, held on November 27 at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, brought together experts to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the phenomenon of colour revolutions—grassroots uprisings demanding governmental and regime change. This year’s forum was themed "Colour Revolutions and the Evolving Global Order: Challenges to Sovereignty and Democracy." Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC), opened the event by referencing various historical uprisings in countries like Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, and most recently in Bangladesh, where an ousted Prime Minister fled to India. These events serve as critical examples of how popular discontent can lead to significant political upheaval.
One of the focal points of the forum was the role of AI tools in modern protests, articulated by Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, executive director of the South Asia Foresight Network in Washington, D.C. He cited how AI strategies were utilized during the Sri Lankan uprising of 2022, which resulted in the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Abeyagoonasekera noted that platforms like Facebook and Instagram became key tools for mobilizing protests, effectively facilitating non-violent uprisings but also presenting challenges for governmental oversight and intervention. While recognizing that Facebook’s policies aim to curb the spread of misinformation, he underscored the delays often encountered when governments request action, thereby highlighting AI’s dual nature as both a catalyst for change and a complicating factor for regulation.
Amid these discussions, IRIC’s deputy director-general Chhort Bunthang raised concerns about the potential dangers associated with advanced AI technologies, such as deepfakes. These capabilities exacerbate the risks of misinformation and serve as accelerators for colour revolutions. Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute, contributed significantly to the conversation by outlining strategies for mitigating the impact of these technologies. He stressed the importance of governmental collaboration with AI developers to filter harmful content and combat disinformation. Kimlong elaborated on the complexities of managing the vast data processed by AI, warning that it tends to emphasize negative portrayals of governments when predominantly negative input is received.
Kimlong further argued for a proactive approach in creating a conducive environment for free expression that enables citizens to engage constructively in political dialogue. He articulated that constraining people’s freedom only intensifies societal unrest, suggesting that countries must prioritize a supportive ecosystem encompassing economic, social, political, and cultural freedoms. He asserted that citizens are less inclined to mobilize against their government when they experience security and fulfillment in their daily lives. In a strategic twist for Cambodia, Kimlong proposed leveraging AI to generate and promote positive narratives regarding the country, ensuring that international queries yield more favorable representations.
On the political front, Sok Eysan, a spokesperson for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), offered a counter-narrative, contending that AI tools and social media can actually serve as defenses against the spread of false information by opposition groups. He observed that prior attempts at disinformation have largely failed, attributing this success to the public’s ability to discern truth amid manipulation. Eysan highlighted the importance of modern technology in providing transparency, noting that once the opposition’s claims are debunked, their credibility wanes, suggesting that the perceived threat from AI-enhanced misinformation may be overstated.
Overall, the Third Phnom Penh Forum underscored the complexities surrounding colour revolutions in an AI-driven world. With a mix of optimism and caution, the attendees explored a range of interventions aimed at harnessing AI for stability while fostering a culture of engagement. As nations grapple with the potential for unrest amid technological advancements, discussions such as these illuminate the path forward—where empowerment, innovation, and social cohesion could together form the foundation for resilient governance.
