Disinformation, also known as "fake news" or intentionally false information disseminated with the aim of deceiving, poses a significant threat to democracy. In an age where information is readily available and easily spread through digital platforms, the uncontrolled dissemination of false information can have serious repercussions. This includes generating confusion, eroding trust in institutions, and fostering societal polarization. In this context, disinformation can undermine the foundations of democracy by distorting public perceptions, influencing political decision-making, and diminishing citizens' ability to make informed choices.
Social networks (e.g. X - formerly Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook...) enable the rapid exchange of information through numerous channels and diverse sources, including unreliable ones outside mainstream media that prioritize virality over accuracy. Given the existing issues with disinformation in our digital society, Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E, have the potential to exacerbate the problem by producing a vast amount of novel content at an even greater speed.
The TITAN project aims to combat disinformation by enhancing users' critical thinking skills using the Socratic method. The project seeks to develop an AI-based assistant, presented as an intelligent chatbot, which assists individuals in assessing the authenticity of a statement through personalized dialogues. The chatbot's dialogue strategy is designed to emulate the Socratic method of inquiry, customized to users' levels of critical thinking skills and potential disinformation indicators in the content at hand. The chatbot will also encourage users to utilize fact-checking tools and processes and provide access to relevant micro-lessons. It will offer an evaluation of how the web propagation of specific items may impact affected communities.
Through the use of the Socratic method, the chatbot aims to train and enhance users' critical thinking skills when confronted with disinformation. While it is not intended to be a fact-checking tool, the chatbot will serve as an intelligent coach to help users become proficient in a robust verification process.
Addressing disinformation is a multifaceted challenge, requiring the involvement of multidisciplinary teams and transdisciplinary research. This is evident in the inclusion of social sciences and humanities partners within the TITAN consortium. Contributions from the social sciences and humanities have been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the TITAN socio-technical framework, offering insights into the social, political, psychological, philosophical, cognitive, legal, and ethical factors relevant to the challenge of disinformation in an increasingly AI-driven society.
