Published on: 2026-07-08
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 7, 2026 Refugees and migrants
Artificial intelligence contributes to the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and deepfakes, which increasingly cause real harm to refugees and humanitarian workers. This was warned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) during the “AI for Good” summit taking place in Geneva.
UNHCR emphasized that refugee protection issues must become an integral part of international efforts to regulate artificial intelligence. According to the agency, it is necessary to improve content moderation tools, including in the context of humanitarian situations and materials published in less common languages, as well as to establish clear mechanisms to protect against manipulation.
Disinformation as a tool of exploitation
The largest crises related to forced population displacement are increasingly accompanied by information crises. False information, accusations, the search for “culprits,” and dehumanizing rhetoric can restrict refugees’ access to work, education, and services, undermine social cohesion, and even provoke violence.
The agency emphasized that freedom of expression is one of the fundamental human rights. At the same time, this is not about restricting public discussion on migration and asylum, but about combating dangerous misinformation that can threaten people’s lives. According to UNHCR, smugglers and human traffickers use digital platforms to spread false information, promising safe routes, legal migration pathways, or jobs, thereby luring people into dangerous situations.
Threat to humanitarian workers
There has been an increase in the dissemination of false and hostile materials directed against UNHCR staff and their activities. This trend creates security threats to humanitarian workers, hinders the provision of assistance, and may negatively affect the funding of humanitarian programs.
According to UNHCR data, 93 percent of staff have encountered manifestations of disinformation, false information, or hate speech that hindered the fulfillment of the organization’s humanitarian mandate. Women—both among staff and refugees—are especially frequently targeted by such attacks. The use of generative artificial intelligence only amplifies these threats, including through the creation of deepfakes.
One example is the situation in Libya, where a wave of hate speech and dangerous disinformation has provoked hostility towards refugees and jeopardized the safety of UNHCR staff and their partners.
Practical measures of UNHCR
UNHCR notes that combating misinformation requires broad cooperation. For example, with the support of Switzerland, the agency created the Community for Ensuring Information Integrity in Humanitarian Settings and continues to work with governments and technology companies. The UNHCR-developed Toolkit for Responding to Information Integrity Threats is already helping about two thousand specialists conduct risk assessments and build work with local communities.
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