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The Duke of Sussex has said the spread of false information via AI and social media means “we are no longer debating facts” during a four-day visit to Colombia. <\/p>\n
Prince Harry, along with the Duchess of Sussex, arrived in the country on Thursday and was hosted by Vice-President Francia M\u00e1rquez, who invited the couple after watching a Netflix series about their lives.<\/p>\n
They spent their first day visiting a school in capital Bogot\u00e1 to talk to teenagers about the impact of social media and speaking at a summit on digital responsibility staged in part by their Archewell Foundation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn\u2019t true,” the duke said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Sussexes, who have faced their own attacks on social media, have not confirmed who is funding the trip – which is neither a state visit nor an official royal event. <\/p>\n
But they are being given a full security detail \u2013 something they no longer enjoy in the UK after stepping down as working royals in 2020.<\/p>\n
The duke said a lot of people were “scared and uncertain” about the possible impact of AI and that “education and awareness” would be key to tackling misinformation. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes down to all of us to be able to spot the true from the fake,” he said. <\/p>\n
“In an ideal world those with positions of influence would take more responsibility. We are no longer debating facts.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor as long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, then social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down.”<\/p>\n
Ms M\u00e1rquez, who hosted the couple at her official residence, described the Sussexes\u2019 trip as a “very special visit”.<\/p>\n
She said that, as well as its focus on cyber issues, she wanted it to help build bridges and promote women’s leadership in Colombia. <\/p>\n
Meghan and Ms M\u00e1rquez were pictured embracing as they warmly greeted each other, while the vice-president grasped Harry’s hands when they were introduced.<\/p>\n
The California-based couple are expected to spend time in the Cartagena and Cali areas during their trip.<\/p>\n
The tour, which appears to be similar in many ways to an official royal visit, is the Sussexes’ second this year, after their three-day visit to Nigeria<\/a> in May.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n