Prize money totaling approximately $2,500 awaits teams who can best detect AI-generated fakes and misinformation in this four-nation championship.

Legacy of Youth Verification Challenge

Originally launched in 2021 as part of the Google News Initiative, Youth Verification Challenge has been at the forefront of fostering digital literacy among young people. From 2024, this prestigious competition continues its mission under new leadership, building upon the foundation established by Google while expanding its reach across Asia.

Why Fact-Checking Matters Now

In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly through social media, the ability to verify information has become increasingly crucial, especially for young people. Recent studies in Japan have revealed concerning trends: compared to the United States and South Korea, Japanese citizens show lower rates of detecting misinformation, with young people being particularly vulnerable to spreading false information.

The January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake in Japan highlighted this challenge, as false rescue requests and conspiracy theories about artificial earthquakes spread widely across social networks. Additionally, the quality of AI-generated fake images and videos has improved dramatically over the past year, making detection increasingly challenging.

Competition Format

The championship consists of three stages:

1. Kickoff Event (November 23, 2024)
   • Interactive fact-checking game session "Rei's Blog"
   • Special lecture by Daisuke Furuta, Editor-in-Chief of JFC
   • Learn techniques for identifying AI-generated content and verifying social media claims
2. National Championship (November 30, 2024)
   • Real-time team competition
   • Multiple verification challenges
   • Top three teams advance to global finals
3. Global Championship (December 14, 2024)
   • International real-time competition
   • Teams from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia compete for the world championship
   • Live streaming available worldwide

Participation Details

• Eligible Participants: Ages 13-24
• Team Structure: 2-3 members per team
• Format: Fully online
• Language: Japanese (with interpretation provided for international rounds)

Prizes

• First Place: $800
• Second Place: $600
• Third Place: $400

Partner Organizations

• Japan: Japan Fact-check Center
• Taiwan: Taiwan Fact-Checking Center
• Thailand: Cofact
• Indonesia: Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI)

Registration

Teams can register through: https://www.verificationchallenge.com/jpRegistration deadline: November 18, 2024, 23:59 JST