Monash joins global consortium to combat AI-driven deepfakes and misinformation
Monash University has joined more than 50 leading organisations worldwide in a major international consortium established by Japanese telecommunications giant Fujitsu to respond to the growing risks of AI generated deepfakes, misinformation and emerging AI security threats.
The consortium, called Frontria, brings together research institutions, technology companies, industry bodies and universities from across Japan, Europe, North America and India.
Monash University, through its Faculty of Information Technology, is the only Australian organisation named among the consortium members, reflecting its growing contribution towards research efforts to build safer, more reliable and transparent AI systems.
Human-centred AI researcher Associate Professor Abhinav Dhall said the Faculty’s deep research in multilingual and culturally aware deepfake detection will help the consortium address misinformation as it appears in different languages, media settings and social environments.
“A large part of combating deepfakes and misinformation involves understanding their cultural context and recognising how the same deceptive narratives can look very different across languages and regions,” Associate Professor Dhall said.
“Building on our research in explainable and multilingual detection, we are focused on approaches that help identify and counter misinformation in diverse communities, not just in English speaking settings.
“This consortium creates a shared platform to exchange knowledge across countries, sectors and disciplines, which is essential when the threats themselves are global in nature.”
Frontria will focus on three major challenges that impact governments, businesses and communities. These include finding more effective ways to stop misinformation and disinformation, improving the trustworthiness and fairness of AI platforms, and strengthening AI security against synthetic media and digital fraud.
Members of the new consortium will share insights, data, technology and real case studies to support the development of solutions that can be implemented across sectors such as finance, media, healthcare, legal services and digital infrastructure.
Associate Professor Dhall said the scale and diversity of the consortium will be important, as misinformation trends and generative manipulation techniques often emerge differently in different parts of the world.
“Having access to experience from a broad global network gives us a far better chance of understanding how misinformation spreads and evolves,” Associate Professor Dhall said.
“It allows us to look beyond a single national perspective and build technologies that are effective and fair across languages, cultures and regulatory environments.”
Fujitsu is a global technology company headquartered in Japan and is recognised as one of the largest providers of IT and computing services internationally.
The new consortium established by Fujitsu is expected to expand to more than 100 members by the end of 2026, resulting in new applications to address AI-generated deepfakes, shared intellectual property and industry ready solutions that strengthen digital safety.
Monash will contribute research leadership, scientific rigour and practical testing, working closely with partners facing complex challenges in AI-generated media and digital manipulation.
Associate Professor Dhall said the collaboration provides valuable opportunities to amplify research outcomes.
“This consortium allows us to work closely with international partners who are managing real and immediate challenges.
“By bringing our strengths in deepfake detection and responsible AI together with the experience of global experts, we hope to support the creation of digital environments that people can trust and rely on.”
At present, participating organisations include Fujitsu, Mizuho Financial Group, Dai ichi Life Holdings, Tokio Marine Holdings, LY Corporation, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, The University of Manchester, Bocconi University, University Grenoble Alpes, the International University of Japan, The University of Osaka and the Institute of Science Tokyo. and other research affiliates and specialist contributors listed in Fujitsu’s announcement.
Associate Professor Abhinav Dhall is available for interviews via email.
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