Experts back mandatory labelling of AI-generated content

New Straits Times

13 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's plan to mandate the labelling of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content has been described by cybersecurity experts as a much-needed step to curb misinformation and restore public trust online.
Professor Dr Selvakumar Manickam from Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Cyber Security Research (CYRES) said the regulation was timely, as AI tools have become so advanced that many people can no longer distinguish between content created by humans and machines.
He said that as generative AI tools grow more sophisticated and accessible, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the public to tell the difference between human-created and AI-generated content.
"China has already mandated this requirement, showing a global move towards such regulations.
"Mandatory labelling can help restore transparency and accountability in the digital information ecosystem, serving as a crucial step in protecting users," he told the New Straits Times.
Selvakumar said implementation was feasible, though challenging, with enforcement on local platforms potentially handled through licensing terms or Application Programming Interfaces-level tagging of AI-generated content.
"However, overseas platforms pose a bigger issue due to jurisdictional limitations.
"The government could consider leveraging licensing requirements imposed on external social media platforms to compel them to comply with AI labelling regulations."
He said that mandatory labelling could also enhance cybersecurity and national security by curbing AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes, while offering consumer protection by helping to prevent AI-driven scams and fraud.
However, he cautioned that risks include enforcement challenges, particularly with foreign platforms, which could lead to uneven compliance.
"Poorly defined rules could result in overreach or misuse, stifling legitimate AI creativity.
"Finally, labelling might create a false sense of security, making users believe content is safe even if it is misleading."
Cybersecurity provider LGMS Bhd executive chairman Fong Choong Fook said the initiative was a smart and necessary move, given how advanced AI tools have become in mimicking real content.
"AI-generated content is becoming so realistic that most people can no longer tell what's real and what's fake.
"Having clear labels gives people a better chance to evaluate what they're reading or watching, particularly when it comes to news or political messaging," he told the New Straits Times.
Fong said labelling AI-generated material promotes transparency, improves digital awareness, and helps users make more informed decisions online.
"If users know a piece of content is AI-generated, they're less likely to be misled or manipulated.
"It builds trust and gives the public a fairer way to assess information."
However, he warned that labelling alone is not enough.
"It's just one part of the puzzle. We still need strong content moderation, public education, and better digital literacy overall," he said.
Fong said there is a need to educate users on what AI can do, how to spot red flags, and why they should not take everything at face value online.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil was reported as saying that the government may consider making it mandatory, under the proposed Online Safety Act, for digital platforms to clearly label content that has been generated or altered using AI.
Fahmi said some platforms had already begun introducing such features, but regulation might be necessary to ensure consistency and accountability across the board.