The Synthetic Media Observatory emerged in 2025 as a response to the exponential growth of AI-generated content across digital platforms. Recognising that synthetic media—ranging from deepfake videos to AI-generated text—poses unprecedented challenges to information integrity, democratic discourse, and social trust, a consortium of leading researchers, technologists, and policy experts established this groundbreaking research organisation.
The Observatory’s mission centres on three core pillars: advancing detection capabilities, fostering media literacy, and informing ethical policy frameworks.
Legal Name
Synthetic Media Observatory (SMO)
Year of Establishment
2025
Founders / Founding Members
Established by a consortium of leading researchers, technologists, and policy experts concerned with the rise of AI-generated content and its risks to democracy, trust, and information integrity.
Founding Purpose
To respond to the exponential growth of synthetic media by focusing on:
- Advancing detection and authentication technologies
- Fostering media literacy
- Informing ethical policy frameworks
Place of Origin
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Original Structure
Founded as an independent research consortium/observatory, functioning as a nonprofit, interdisciplinary research body.
Vision Over Time
While the initial mission centred on detection and policy engagement, the Observatory has expanded into preventive technologies, economic impact studies, and democratic resilience initiatives.
Notable Leaders
Zulker Naeen and Rezwan Islam
Governance Structure
Operates under a multidisciplinary board of directors with five interconnected research divisions. Governance emphasises collaborative partnerships across academia, civil society, and industry.
Strategic Priorities
Looking ahead, the Observatory will expand its focus areas:
- Preventive Technologies: Developing provenance systems that embed authenticity markers at the point of content creation
- Economic Impact Analysis: Quantifying the costs of synthetic media proliferation across industries and regions
- Democratic Resilience: Partnering with electoral commissions and civil society groups to protect democratic processes from synthetic media manipulation
Geographic Reach
Plans for regional observatories in the Asia-Pacific.
Affiliations/Partnerships in History
- Academic institutions (e.g., University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, FactWatch, Engage Media)
- Law enforcement collaboration
- Technology and media industry partnerships
Funding Sources
Mix of research grants, institutional partnerships, philanthropic foundations, and industry collaborations.
Community
Initially perceived as a niche research body, it has quickly gained recognition as a leading global authority on synthetic media.
Legacy or Cultural Significance
The Observatory stands as a first-of-its-kind global hub for tackling the synthetic media crisis. Its work has direct cultural and democratic significance, preserving digital truth, information integrity, and public trust in an era where real and fake are increasingly indistinguishable.
