The Duke of Sussex said during a four-day visit to Colombia that the spread of false information about AI and social media means “we are no longer debating facts.”
Prince Harry arrived in the country with the Duchess of Sussex on Thursday and was received by Vice President Francia Márquez, who invited the couple after watching a Netflix series about their lives.
They spent their first day visiting a school in the capital, Bogotá, to talk to teenagers about the impact of social media and speaking at a summit on digital responsibility hosted in part by their Archewell Foundation.
“What happens online in a matter of minutes spills over onto the streets. People act on information that is not true,” the Duke said.
The Sussexes, who have themselves come under attack on social media, have not confirmed who is funding the trip – which is neither a state visit nor an official royal event.
However, they are provided with comprehensive security – something they are no longer entitled to in the UK after they stepped down as members of the royal family in 2020.
The Duke said many people were “scared and uncertain” about the potential impact of AI and that “education and awareness” were key to combating misinformation.
“It is up to all of us to be able to distinguish truth from falsehood,” he said.
“In an ideal world, those in positions of influence would take more responsibility. We no longer debate facts.
“As long as people are allowed to spread lies, insult and harass, social cohesion as we know it has completely collapsed.”
Mrs Márquez, who received the couple at her official residence, described the Sussexes’ trip as a “very special visit”.
She said that in addition to focusing on cyber issues, she also wants to focus on building bridges and promoting the role of women in leadership positions in Colombia.
The picture shows Meghan and Ms. Márquez warmly welcoming each other, embracing each other while the Vice President took Harry’s hands during the introduction.
The California-based couple is expected to spend time in the Cartagena and Cali areas during their trip.
The tour, which in many ways resembles an official royal visit, is the Sussexes’ second this year, after their three-day visit to Nigeria in May.
