- May 02, 2023
- 12:00
- -
- May 02, 2023
- 14:00
On May 02, 2023, the Aspen Institute Germany hosts the second workshop of the event series “Democracy 2.0: Strengthening Liberal Values in the Age of Digital Disruption”. The series brings together a select group of high-level experts to discuss coordinated and democratic responses to growing digital authoritarianism and specifically the challenge of information manipulation on the Internet.
Together with Dr. Johannes Dimroth, Deputy Head of the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government, Dr. Eva Flecken, Director of Media Commission Berlin-Brandenburg (mabb), and Dr. Guido Brinkel, Head of Regulatory Policy / Director Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Germany, we will discuss “(Dis-)Information Warfare? Democratic Responses to Digital Authoritarianism“, moderated by Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner, Director of Aspen Germany.
Not least since Russia’s war against Ukraine, it has become clear that today’s conflicts are being waged using both conventional means as well as cyber and information warfare. What measures are effective to strengthen democratic societies in an increasingly digitalized and conflict-driven world? After the last workshop dealt with cyber security and cyber foreign policy, in the second workshop we now turn to the societal level and the challenges associated with disinformation. The dissemination of deliberately misleading information on online channels is meant to sow uncertainty and confusion, exacerbate existing societal tensions, and undermine trust in democratic processes. New challenges are also posed by the rapid technological development of AI-based chatbots such as ChatGPT/GPT-4 or manipulated media content (“deepfakes”).
What current trends and challenges need to be considered when assessing digital propaganda and disinformation? What strategies to improve information and media literacy among the population have proven successful against disinformation? What technological capabilities and capacities are needed? How can policymakers, media organizations, businesses, and civil society help combat the effects of disinformation? How can the various actors in this field work better together to improve the resilience of liberal democracies? With a small group of selected experts and guests, we will discuss these and more questions over a light lunch.
