By: Aminata Sesay
The Office of National Security (ONS) has called for stronger systems to verify and respond to AI-generated content, warning that advances in artificial intelligence could pose growing challenges to information security and public trust ahead of Sierra Leone’s 2028 general elections.
Chief of Staff and Professional Head of the ONS, Francis Languba Keillie, made the call while representing the national security sector at an engagement on artificial intelligence, digital safety and AI-generated misinformation.
Keillie said Sierra Leone needs to strengthen its capacity to identify fabricated audio, images, videos and documents before such content spreads widely and develops into broader social or security concerns.
He said the challenge goes beyond identifying false information, stressing that institutions must also understand how quickly harmful content spreads, who it reaches and the potential impact on communities.
According to Keillie, institutions need mechanisms to monitor emerging narratives, assess potentially harmful information and determine when a particular development requires an appropriate response.
He said the security sector has a particular responsibility in this area because the ONS coordinates the Integrated Elections Security Planning Committee.
While acknowledging the opportunities AI presents for national development, including in public services, education, healthcare, research, planning and productivity, Keillie warned that the technology could also be misused to produce highly convincing fabricated content.
“The greatest danger is the loss of public confidence in distinguishing real information from fabricated content,” he said.
Keillie identified deepfakes and other forms of synthetic media as emerging concerns, noting that they could be used for impersonation, fraud, cybercrime, extortion, reputational damage and the creation of anxiety and tension.
He said these risks become particularly significant during elections, when misleading information can spread rapidly and influence public perceptions of events, institutions and individuals.
Recalling the information-related challenges experienced during Sierra Leone’s 2023 elections, Keillie said advances in AI could make similar threats increasingly sophisticated as the country approaches the 2028 polls.
“With the increasing sophistication of these technologies, we are more and more worried as we approach 2028, particularly as far as election security is concerned,” he said.
He urged government institutions to establish clear procedures for handling suspicious digital content, including verification, escalation of potential threats, protection of official accounts and timely correction of false information.
Keillie also encouraged public officials, journalists and other communicators to verify digital material before sharing or responding to it.
He stressed that effective public communication is equally important, urging government institutions to provide timely, accurate and accessible information so citizens can rely on credible sources when false narratives emerge.
He further called for increased media and AI literacy among citizens, saying the public needs the skills to recognize suspicious or manipulated content, while journalists must maintain professional verification standards before publishing digital material.
The ONS also stressed the need for Sierra Leone’s legal and regulatory framework to keep pace with developments in artificial intelligence.
Keillie said measures to address the harmful use of AI should be designed to protect legitimate freedoms, including freedom of expression, lawful criticism, investigative journalism and democratic participation.
He said addressing AI-related risks requires cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, technology stakeholders, the media, civil society and the public.
As Sierra Leone prepares for the 2028 general elections, the ONS says stronger verification mechanisms, public awareness, responsible communication and institutional preparedness will be essential to building resilience against AI-generated misinformation and maintaining public confidence in the country’s democratic processes.