Following the workplan, on May 18, 2026, the National Association for International Information Security held a scientific seminar “Deepfakes as a Challenge to International Information Security: Problems and Solutions.” Its goal was to discuss key issues in countering the use of deepfake technology in the context of ensuring international information security (IIS) in the new geopolitical environment.
The seminar was moderated by Association President B.N. Miroshnikov, who set the tone for the discussion in his welcoming address, emphasizing that the challenge of countering deepfakes lies not only in the technology itself, but in the lack of a common understanding of what constitutes a deepfake. Addressing this challenge requires the combined efforts of government, science, business, and the expert community.
Positions of relevant agencies on countering deepfakes were presented by Valeria R. Belous, Deputy Head of the Unit for international aspects of information security, Department of Cybersecurity, Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, and Sergei N. Nalobin, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Press of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. In this context, they emphasized the importance of the bill “On the Fundamentals of State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Russian Federation,” submitted to the Russian State Duma. The document, scheduled to come into force on September 1, 2027, establishes strict frameworks for neural network developers, introduces the concept of “trusted models,” and mandates the labeling of synthesized content, while simultaneously providing extensive incentives for infrastructure projects.
A full range of issues related to countering deepfakes in the context of national and international security was covered by the leading Russian experts in the field of international information security from renowned scientific and educational centers such as MGIMO University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, MTUCI, Kikot Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, RANEPA, the Diplomatic Academy of MGIMO University, and IMEMO.
Participants noted that AI technologies, in general, create enormous opportunities for growth and development in all spheres of human activity, while simultaneously posing large-scale threats to information security. Deepfakes are used not only in fraud and specific cyberattacks, but also to undermine the reputation and trust in the media and government, as well as to manipulate public opinion. They are becoming not just a technical problem, but a civilizational and political one.
During the seminar, experts emphasized that in the near future, it will be virtually impossible for individuals to independently distinguish authenticity from digital counterfeiting, necessitating the development of publicly available technical means for identifying synthesized content, as well as mass digital education. It is necessary to protect not only communication channels but also the population from cognitive influence. From a legal perspective, deepfakes are a new tool for committing crimes, and therefore, existing legislation must be adapted. Representatives of the Association will voice these proposals at parliamentary hearings to discuss the bill, scheduled for May 27, 2026.
The seminar participants agreed on the advisability of developing a scientific and analytical framework based on the results of the event to develop proposals for neutralizing and countering the use of deepfake technology in the context of ensuring IIS.
