The juries of the Rei Jaume I Prizes warn of the threat posed by disinformation and call for the
ethical development of artificial intelligence

The members of the judging panels for the 38th Rei Jaume I Prizes, which include 25 Nobel Laureates, have today signed a joint statement in which they warn of the growing threat posed by disinformation to science and society, and call for the establishment of ethical standards to ensure the responsible development of artificial intelligence.

As they do every year, the juries of the Rei Jaume I Prizes have sought to encourage society to reflect
on one of the great challenges of our time. On this occasion, the text focuses on the loss
of trust in science and on the impact that new technologies can have both on the
generation of knowledge and on the spread of false information.

Entitled ‘Science Under Threat’, the statement recalls that science has historically
been the main source of human progress and the best tool for tackling humanity’s
greatest challenges. However, the signatories warn that the very same technological revolution that has
democratised access to knowledge has also facilitated the rapid spread of fake news, conspiracy theories
and misleading content.

The juries place particular emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence, one of the most
promising innovations of recent decades. They stress that this technology is making a
decisive contribution to accelerating scientific research, data analysis and the generation of knowledge, but
warn that it can also be used to create and disseminate increasingly sophisticated disinformation through manipulated images, videos and audio recordings.

They are therefore calling on governments, artificial intelligence developers and all relevant stakeholders
to promote ethical frameworks and oversight mechanisms that ensure AI becomes a tool in the service of creativity, innovation and communication between people.

“Artificial intelligence must help human intelligence to discover, create and innovate, and must not
become a tool in the service of unchecked powers pursuing objectives contrary to
the common good,” the statement notes.

The juries conclude by advocating the responsible use of these technologies, in a way that reinforces
democratic values and social progress, whilst preventing them from becoming tools of
manipulation that erode public trust and the principles underpinning our societies.
The declaration has been signed by the members of the juries gathered in Valencia for the 38th
edition of the Rei Jaume I Prizes, a historic edition which saw the participation of 25
Nobel Laureates – the highest number recorded since the awards were established.