The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in partnership with the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) and the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project, has expanded an awareness campaign on Artificial Intelligence (AI), deepfakes and misinformation across all districts of Sierra Leone.
The campaign is aimed at helping citizens better understand the growing opportunities presented by AI while raising awareness about the risks associated with deepfake technology, manipulated content and the spread of misinformation.
As part of the initiative, DSTI and its partners are engaging citizens through radio and television programmes, universities, schools, government institutions and stakeholder forums across the country.
The engagements provide participants with information on how AI technologies are being used, the potential risks posed by digitally manipulated content and the importance of responsible technology use.
DSTI has also conducted live demonstrations to show how realistic deepfake content can be created, giving participants a practical understanding of how manipulated audio and visual materials can appear authentic.
The agency is further sharing verification tools and approaches being adopted by the Government to assist citizens and institutions in identifying and checking suspected manipulated content before accepting or sharing it.
The campaign has brought together key institutions and stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the Office of National Security (ONS) and the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone.
Media practitioners, students, content creators and civil society representatives have also participated in the awareness engagements.
According to the organisers, the campaign is intended to promote greater digital awareness and encourage citizens to take deliberate steps before sharing information online, particularly content generated or altered using emerging technologies.
The campaign’s core message urges citizens to pause, check the source, cross-check information and verify content before sharing it.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen digital literacy and promote responsible use of technology as AI continues to become more prominent in Sierra Leone’s digital environment.
