ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) on Tuesday announced the launch of “Distinguish the Fake,” an AI detection platform seeking to raise public awareness to combat digital misinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence.

INSS spokesperson Arshad al-Hakim announced the launch of the tool during a press conference, describing the development as “a pioneering proactive step to build a robust societal defense line.”

Hakim said the application aims to train the Iraqi public’s cognitive skills to detect “misleading digital content.”

“The platform allows users to verify the authenticity of various media—whether fabricated images, doctored videos, or dubbed audio—in order to reduce the spread of rumors and counter emerging methods of electronic fraud, thus directly contributing to protecting social harmony and strengthening our national security,” the spokesperson added.

While the use of AI tools has become increasingly commonplace across the world, AI literacy and development in Iraq has remained fairly limited.

While the Iraqi government has been slowly taking steps to adapt to the new age of tech, Iraq is frequently placed among the lowest Arab countries in global AI rankings by specialized monitors.

The University of Baghdad recently launched the College of Artificial Intelligence, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs dedicated to artificial intelligence and its diverse applications.

In 2025, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office established the Iraqi National Center for Artificial Intelligence, the declared mission of which is concerned with “creating a smart and sustainable environment in government sectors by enhancing digital infrastructure and employing advanced artificial intelligence solutions.”