Cyberjaya: AIFA, the Artificial Intelligence Fact-check Assistant, was launched today as part of the Sebenarnya.my fact-checking initiative to combat fake news and provide users with a fast and efficient tool to verify information online. Also known as the Sebenarnya.my Chatbot, AIFA is powered entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) and is spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). It is accessible via the sebenarnya.my portal and on WhatsApp at 03-8688 7997.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, freelance writer Anisa Hang Tuah, 37, shared her experience using AIFA via WhatsApp. She inquired about the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) and received a detailed two-paragraph response within a minute. Anisa expressed satisfaction with the promptness and detail of the response, noting that the chatbot provided links to PTPTN's official portal for further details based on her query.
Photographer Moganraj Villavan, 33, praised the initiative as a crucial tool for Malaysians in addressing the rampant spread of fake news. He acknowledged the prevalence of fake images and audio clips and expressed hope that more people would utilize the chatbot to verify information. Moganraj also suggested improvements such as developing an AIFA app for smartphones and enabling users to upload photos, videos, or graphics for verification.
Currently, AIFA processes text-based inputs but plans to expand its capabilities to include video and graphic inputs. The chatbot is available in four languages: Malay, English, Mandarin, and Tamil, ensuring accessibility for a broad range of users.
Earlier today, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil launched the Sebenarnya.my Chatbot in Cyberjaya, emphasizing AIFA's role in enhancing the portal with three key objectives. He highlighted its potential to assist the public in verifying information quickly, accelerate responses to unverified content, and strengthen efforts to combat the spread of fake news in Malaysia. Fahmi emphasized that AIFA is a vital tool to empower Malaysians with verified information from authoritative sources and mitigate the impacts of misinformation.
Meanwhile, a civil servant known only as Maya commended the government's efforts in introducing AIFA, appreciating its value in providing quick and reliable information for all, including older generations active on WhatsApp. She noted the platform's convenience, especially for the elderly, offering 24-hour access to accurate information.