Disinformation poses a significant threat to public trust, national security, and societal resilience. It exploits social and political vulnerabilities, manipulating public perception and destabilizing democratic processes. This challenge has grown more complex with the use of advanced technologies like AI and targeted cognitive strategies. Addressing this issue is crucial, requiring transparent communication, media literacy, cognitive security measures, and cross-sector collaboration involving governments, tech companies, civil society, and academic experts.
Moderated by Todor Galev, Director of Research at the Center for the Study of Democracy, the panel on "Building Resilience in Public Administration and Society" featured a range of expert perspectives from both the public and private sector. Georgi Georgiev, Director of the Information Center at the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of strategic communication in building public trust. He described the role of the Ministry’s Information Center in countering disinformation through transparent, timely information, acting as a fact-checking authority and swiftly addressing security-related misinformation. Dr. Alexander Politov, Analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy examined the social and collective drivers of foreign information manipulation and interference, noting how trust deficits, political polarization, and media control create vulnerabilities. Dr. Politov called for an increased focus on media literacy and community engagement to build resilience against false narratives.
Dmytro Bilash, co-founder and CBDO of Osavul, presented a forward-looking approach with AI-driven tools that help governments monitor online narratives in real time, allowing rapid responses to disinformation. He highlighted the importance of standardizing data formats to ensure seamless sharing of information across borders and emphasized that technological solutions need to be combined with strategic preparedness. Ludmilla Huntsman from the Cognitive Security Alliance made a compelling case for integrating cognitive security into national strategies, noting that disinformation is not just about falsehoods but about manipulating public thought processes. She advocated for a layered approach that combines technology, research, social sciences, and cross-sector alliances to build a robust defense against psychological manipulation.
Andrii Paziuk from Ukraine's National Aviation University discussed the significant challenge posed by AI-generated disinformation on social media platforms. He criticized platforms for being slow to adapt to these evolving threats and pointed out inconsistencies in content moderation policies. He emphasized the need for cooperation between platforms and policymakers, especially within the EU, to establish clear guidelines and ensure the effective implementation of policies.
