5 November 2024, Prague, Czechia, Charles University, Vlastenecký sál
Inspired by Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, this year’s CEDMO consortium annual conference addresses the contemporary challenge of disinformation. In Bradbury’s novel, firemen ignite books to suppress knowledge and control the populace, ensuring that critical thinking is extinguished in favour of a docile society. The title refers to the temperature at which paper burns, symbolising the destruction of truth and the power that controls knowledge.
In today’s world, disinformation acts as the modern equivalent of these destructive fires. The spread of falsehoods across digital platforms threatens to consume the integrity of information in our societies. The conference will focus on three vital strategies to combat this danger: fact-checking, media literacy, and AI regulation. Each represents a crucial effort to counteract the harmful effects of disinformation.
Fact-checking stands as a guardrail against the spread of false narratives, preserving the integrity of information much like those who secretly memorized books in Fahrenheit 451 kept knowledge alive. Media literacy empowers individuals to critically engage with information, encouraging a society that values truth and understands the difference between fact and fiction. Meanwhile, AI regulation, through frameworks like the EU AI Act and the EU Digital Services Act, seeks to harness technology responsibly, preventing it from becoming a tool that amplifies disinformation.
This conference will explore how these tools can be effectively deployed to resist the spread of disinformation, protect the truth and ensure that society remains informed and engaged. In doing so, we aim to highlight the importance of preserving knowledge and truth in the face of growing challenges, much like the protagonists in Bradbury’s novel who fight to keep the light of knowledge alive amidst the darkness of censorship.
Join us for the in-person event which will dive into the most pressing topics linked to tackling information disorders in three high-level discussions:
Panels
This panel will examine the transformative role of generative artificial intelligence (AI) within the context of digital evolution. As AI technologies become increasingly sophisticated, they significantly influence how information is produced and shared, presenting both innovative opportunities and profound challenges. Discussions will be centred on the impact of generative AI on society, particularly concerning the proliferation of disinformation and its implications for public discourse. The conversation will also address responsible AI development and deployment and consider regulatory measures such as the European Union’s AI Act and Digital Services Act. By exploring these themes, the panel aims to provide insights into harnessing AI’s potential while safeguarding the integrity of information in the digital age.
Focusing on the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), this panel will explore the intricacies of bringing this comprehensive regulatory framework into effect. The DSA represents a significant effort to create a safer and more transparent online environment by setting clear responsibilities for digital platforms. The discussion will examine the challenges of implementing the DSA across different jurisdictions, the expected impact on digital services, and the mechanisms for enforcement and compliance. Attention will be given to how the DSA addresses issues of disinformation and the responsibilities of platforms in monitoring content. The panel aims to shed light on the practicalities of translating regulatory ambitions into tangible outcomes that enhance the digital ecosystem.
This panel brings together experts who will share practical experiences in promoting media literacy and conducting fact-checking as frontline responses to disinformation. With the ever-growing influx of information, the ability of individuals to critically assess content is paramount. The discussion will highlight successful strategies for educating the public, tools for verifying information authenticity, and the obstacles practitioners face in an age of rapid information dissemination. Emphasis will be placed on collaborative efforts and innovative approaches that empower communities to discern truth from falsehood. By providing a platform for practitioners’ perspectives, the panel seeks to inspire effective actions to strengthen societal resilience against mis/disinformation.
Partners
With the Support of:
This project has received funding from the European Union under the call: DIGITAL-2023-DEPLOY-04, project 101158609. This website reflects the views only of the independent Consortium, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.