Four EU-funded projects on AI and disinformation in dialogue with EDMO
The EDMO community and its Europe-wide network of hubs have started cooperation with four European Commission co-funded research projects focused on developing AI methods for countering online disinformation.
The researchers met at the end of June 2023 at a dedicated event āMeet the Future of AI: Countering Sophisticated and Advanced Disinformationā, where they discussed the numerous barriers and research challenges in AI and disinformation, as well as agreed on a number of joint follow up actions. A summary of the conference discussions and main outcomes is available here.
In more detail, the focus of ongoing research is on detection of AI-generated content and development of AI-powered tools and technologies that support verification professionals and citizens with content analysis and verification.
The project brings together research capabilities from different fields, fact-checkers, NGOs, and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). It is developing tools for detecting AI-generated content and employs novel AI and network science-based methods to assist verification professionals. The new AI techniques developed in vera.ai will address key user needs of fact-checkers, including deepfake detection and transparency and explanation of AI outputs. First results include AI methods and tools for:
- detecting local manipulations in synthetic images;
- analysing traces left by generative AI on created images;
- deepfake detection of persons of interest;
- generation and detection of synthetic text using language models.
The project aims to enhance the work of human fact-checkers through automated platform monitoring of social and news media using advanced AI-based technologies. The project is building on proven tools and technologies, including an observatory that gathered COVID-19 disinformation, a clickbait content analyser and a “Verdict Generator” that could aid in debunking disinformation.
The project aims to create an AI-based citizen coaching ecosystem against disinformation. It will be delivered through an intelligent chatbot that guides citizens in probing the factual correctness and reliability of online content. The chatbot would consider the citizen’s critical thinking capacity, incorporate fact-checking processes and tools, and emphasise a human-centred approach.
This is 4-year project, which aims to establish a Centre of Excellence on AI research and engage with a wide network of researchers across Europe and beyond. It focuses on delivering the next generation of core AI advances and training to serve the media sector. At the same time it puts focus on ensuring that the European values of ethical and trustworthy AI are embedded in future AI deployments.
Read more on EDMO Hubs initiatives on AI and Disinformation