GEYC's VP of Digital, Teodora Akinola, joins leading experts at the Council of Europe to discuss the critical intersection of AI, disinformation, and democratic dialogue in the context of IGF2025 - Internet Governance Forum. We are pleased to share that our colleague Teodora Akinola, Vice President of Digital at GEYC, recently participated in the "AI and Disinformation: Countering the Threats to Democratic Dialogue" online open forum. Organized by the Council of Europe, this significant event took place on June 25, 2025, as part of #IGF2025, with an accompanying workshop on June 27, 2025.
The open session delved into the profound challenges posed by AI-generated disinformation and its wide-ranging implications for democratic dialogue. Key topics explored during the forum included:
- Challenges of AI in Disinformation. Discussions focused on how AI-generated content can spread disinformation at an unprecedented scale, significantly complicating efforts to maintain the integrity of public debate.
- Human Rights-Compliant Solutions. The forum explored practical measures for policymakers and stakeholders. These included vital strategies such as supporting fact-checking initiatives, developing robust platform design solutions, and empowering users to discern credible information more effectively.
- Dual Role of AI. Experts examined AI's inherent potential to both exacerbate and mitigate the spread of disinformation. This highlighted the critical need for the responsible and ethical use of generative technologies.
- Collaborative Approaches. The importance of cross-sector collaboration was strongly emphasized. Promoting quality journalism and fostering trust in public information emerged as essential components in combating disinformation.
A big virtual THANK YOU to the distinguished speakers who contributed to these vital discussions:
- David Caswell, Product developer, Consultant, and Researcher of computational and automated forms of journalism
- Chine Labbe, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Partnerships at NewsGuard
- Maria Nordström PhD, Head of Section, Digital Government Division, Ministry of Finance, Sweden
- Olha Petriv, Artificial intelligence lawyer, Center for Democracy and the Rule of Law, Ukraine
Key Lessons Learned
- AI presents unique challenges in the dissemination of false information, especially when content is shared in good faith.
- There is a critical need for a multi-faceted approach involving fact-checking, platform design, and user empowerment to effectively counter AI-driven disinformation.
- The role of digital platforms is critical, not only in the propagation of information but also in supporting quality journalism.
- Engaging discussions with media professionals, AI experts, and policymakers underscored the importance of vigilance and regular updates in understanding the implications of generative AI systems.
Find out more
- Check out GEYC's key initiatives in the #digital field here: GEYC Digital Initiatives
- GEYC is actively focusing on the role of AI and the use of digital tools to combat disinformation, especially within our efforts dedicated to the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025: European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025
- Watch the recording of the discussion here: Discussion Recording