University of Latvia Hosts Multi-Stakeholder Discussion on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Combating Disinformation
A multi-stakeholder discussion entitled “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Combating Disinformation”, organised by the University of Latvia, was held in Riga on 6 January 2026. The event brought together researchers, technology developers, and practitioners to introduce the AI4Debunk project and to foster an in-depth exchange on current challenges and effective tools for addressing disinformation and fake news.
The discussion aimed to familiarise participants with the objectives, methodological approach, and initial results of the AI4Debunk project, while also encouraging reflection on the broader societal, technological, and ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in countering disinformation. The programme included presentations on the project’s goals and early findings, live demonstrations of AI-based tools under development, and an interactive discussion on practical and philosophical aspects of disinformation mitigation.
The meeting was opened by Professor Inna Šteinbuka, who introduced the AI4Debunk project, explaining that project seeks to develop artificial intelligence tools to protect society from disinformation by integrating the expertise of technical AI specialists with that of social scientists, including political scientists and sociologists. Particular attention is devoted to disinformation related to the war in Ukraine and to climate change.
Among the key challenges highlighted was the rapid pace of technological development, which creates a risk of tools becoming obsolete and necessitates continuous adaptation. The project is also being implemented within a complex geopolitical context, where efforts to counter disinformation may be perceived as potential restrictions on freedom of expression.
Technical solutions developed within the project were presented by Franc van der Bent of Utrecht University. He demonstrated several tools currently in the development phase, including a browser plug-in designed to enable users to verify online content—both text and images—by analysing its consistency with other information sources in order to identify potential deepfakes or disinformation. In addition, the collaborative platform Disinfopedia was introduced as a space for interaction with an AI-powered chatbot, discussion of current news, and reporting of suspicious content, which is subsequently reviewed by experts.
Further demonstrations included a smartphone application capable of analysing text, image, audio, and video content, as well as a virtual reality educational environment, TruthSpace, aimed at strengthening digital literacy among young people through interactive gameplay. The technical approach emphasises agile development, modular system architecture using Docker containers, accessibility, and cost efficiency. The software will be released under the European Union Public Licence (EUPL 1.2), supporting transparency and open-source use.
The subsequent discussion addressed issues of public engagement, cybersecurity, sustainability beyond the project’s conclusion in 2027, and the role of critical thinking in the effective use of technological solutions. Participants emphasised that while education and critical media literacy remain essential—particularly in an era of increasingly sophisticated video and audio deepfakes—artificial intelligence offers significant potential to support society when combined with human expertise. AI-based tools developed within the project were highlighted for their ability to provide timely, accessible, and multi-format analysis of text, image, audio, and video content. Project researchers demonstrated innovative approaches, including passive “antivirus-style” alerts and interactive educational environments, which can lower barriers to verification and strengthen digital literacy across diverse user groups. The adaptability, open-source design, and interdisciplinary foundations of the tools were presented as key strengths, enabling continuous improvement, sustainability, and long-term societal impact.
