Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has condemned the recent circulation of an artificial intelligence-generated video falsely portraying a conflict between himself and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. "The video, which shows a fabricated argument between the two leaders, has been widely distributed on social media, causing confusion among the public and drawing concern from political observers," he said. President Toroama described the video as a dangerous act of digital manipulation, calling it not only deceptive but also harmful to the ongoing peace and cooperation between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. “This kind of content is not only fabricated—it is a serious threat to the progress we have made through dialogue and mutual respect. "Such actions jeopardize the spirit of peace and partnership we’ve worked hard to maintain," President Toroma said. The President underscored the need for responsible digital behavior, especially as advanced technologies such as AI become more accessible. While acknowledging the importance of freedom of speech, he stressed that such rights must be practiced with accountability and truthfulness. “Democracy allows us to express ourselves, but that freedom must be exercised ethically. Spreading false narratives with AI tools damages reputations and can spark real-world tensions,” he said. Toroama appealed to content creators, tech users, and the general public to think critically about the consequences of spreading misinformation, particularly content that can stir political instability. He urged for a deeper conversation about ethics in digital spaces and called for stronger measures by tech platforms and regulatory agencies to prevent the proliferation of AI-generated falsehoods. “As we embrace the digital age, we must also adopt shared values to guide our use of powerful technologies. Truth must remain the cornerstone of how we communicate,” the President said. Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to peaceful dialogue and unity, Toroama stated that such digital fabrications will not derail Bougainville’s pursuit of a stable and collaborative political future. He also called on the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) to investigate the source and dissemination of the misleading video. President Toroama concluded by urging collective vigilance and moral responsibility in navigating the evolving digital landscape, emphasizing that the integrity of public discourse must be preserved.