30 May 2024. Around half of the world’s population will be able to cast their vote this year and have a decisive influence on the way the world will be governed for years to come. This is unique, because never before have so many people around the world been able to vote in one year as in 2024.
But experts fear that this super election year will be accompanied by an increase in fake news and disinformation to influence voters’ opinions and voting behaviour. Increasingly rapid advances in artificial intelligence, growing threats from wars and crises, and decreasing protection against hate and hate speech on social media are all contributing to this trend.
The fight against large-scale disinformation campaigns by autocratic states is one of the greatest political, media and social challenges of our time, the outcome of which will have a major impact on the future world order.
This is why France, Poland and Germany have agreed to take joint action against troll campaigns in the wake of massive disinformation and cyber-attacks, largely orchestrated by Russia. A massive increase in Russian disinformation activities aimed at influencing the population is expected in many European countries, especially in the run-up to the European elections and the Paris Olympics. But is this enough?
And: Which influence AI do have? How can Europe defend itself against digital and real-world aggressors? How can the individual member states with so many different interests act more cohesively? And what happens if they don’t? Can Europe die if we make the wrong decisions, as French President Emmanuel Macron warns? And which role and responsibilities do journalists and media have in an increasingly complex and complicated world?
All these issues will be discussed on 12 September in the Orangery Sanssouci in Potsdam. Stay tuned!
