Participative Assistive AI-powered Tools for Supporting Trustworthy Online Activity of Citizens and Debunking Disinformation (AI4Debunk)

To radically transform the fight against disinformation, a four-year research initiative AI4Debunk – Artificial Intelligence for Debunking Disinformation (in latvian - Mākslīgais intelekts dezinformācijas atmaskošanai) was launched in January. Officially titled “Participative Assistive AI-powered Tools for Supporting Trustworthy Online Activity of Citizens and Debunking Disinformation", the project brings together an interdisciplinary consortium of 13 partners from eight countries. Their joint mission is to foster trustworthy online activity and develop AI-powered tools that help protect people from disinformation.

In recent years, the spread of disinformation has become a major challenge across Europe. Communication during the COVID-19 crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been described as “war-like,” with the European Union (EU) engaged in an “infodemic” — a global battle of narratives. This “infodemic” is particularly challenging as Russia and China are highly experienced in organizing toxic disinformation campaigns, employing various manipulation techniques and destructive narratives in their “anti-EU” propaganda to gain influence. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions can serve as a powerful tool for debunking disinformation. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated: “AI is already changing our daily lives. And this is only the beginning. Used wisely and widely, AI promises enormous benefits for our economy and society.”

AI4Debunk aims to revolutionize the fight against disinformation and support trustworthy online activity. By developing AI-powered, human-centered tools, the project is committed to protecting democratic values and fostering a more informed and resilient society in response to the challenges of the digital age.