"Deescalating polarization will contribute to diminishing the problem of misinformation" Interview A conversation with Nicole Krause from the Life Sciences Communication Department at the University of Wisconsin about science and political communication and ways to communicate more effectively with conservative, religious and rural audiences.
AI and Elections – Observations, Analyses and Prospects Spotlight This Spotlight explores how the ability of AI to disseminate information more effectively is prone to abuse and can pose a threat to democracy. It then discusses the preconditions and potential of AI to support the building of a critical public sphere. By Jessica Heesen
How does the DSA contribute to platform governance and tackle disinformation? Spotlight The DSA could help addressing the challenges of harmful content and disinformation online by increasing the legal protections while encouraging platforms to be more transparent and accountable without imposing requirements to generally monitor content. By Giovanni De Gregorio
The Weakest Links - Why we Cannot Look at our Information Environment Platform-by-Platform Spotlight In a hyperlinked media ecosystem, separate actions taken by distinct online platforms to curb disinformation efforts are falling short as adversarial actors forge ahead. This Spotlight describes two emerging ways in which actors have used cross-platform tactics to successfully execute disinformation campaigns. By Adi Cohen
Regulatory Interdependence in Artificial Intelligence Spotlight Regulatory interdependence affects how and to what degree AI ethical concerns can and will be addressed, and it lays out how a variegated approach to such interdependence is necessary to maximize jurisdictions’ AI sovereignty – a key dimension of the “digital sovereignty” the EU has explicitly set as its goal. By Daniel Mügge
The Global Story of Election Interference Backgrounder With the growing power of social media over the past two decades, the character of democratic societies has changed significantly. Great opportunities have arisen for more diversity of opinion, participation and exchange of information, but also risks and tendencies toward subversion, which have been exploited by Authoritarian regimes have around the world. By Olaf Boehnke and Carlo Zensus
Jewish Women in Mixed Cities – A Closer Look Article A closer look at the Jewish population in Israel’s Mixed Cities reveals a complex image of migration, disconnection, and concrete challenges faced by women, mostly single mothers or elderly. Unfamiliar with the details and history of the ethno-national conflict, new immigrants from weaker backgrounds are situated in these contested spaces. By Lital Ayalon
Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Backgrounder This backgrounder introduces readers to the research literature on AI’s impact on democracy. It surveys literature in three distinct areas: AI and the democratic public sphere, the impact of AI on election campaigns, and the importance and accountability of automated decision-making systems in public services. By Thorsten Thiel
What are information markets, and why are they failing? Explainer Bustling online activity coupled with the easy availability of vast amounts of free information diverts attention from problems in both markets and information niches that have yet to find a sustainable business model. This explainer provides background information on information markets, why they fail, and suggests ways to repair them. By Daphne Raban
“We want to deter politicians from spreading false information” Interview A conversation with Noa Barak about disinformation and the role of fact-checkers in Israel.