When preventing and countering extremism online, there is always the fear of being too late, and there is always the question of ‘where we should look.’ Online technologies are developing rapidly, and new ways of spreading harmful content are constantly evolving.
The legal framework for (social media or other) platforms tries to keep up with the new developments, but there will always be some discrepancy. In July 2022, the Digital Services Act (DSA) was adopted by the European Parliament. This act aims to create a safer digital space where the fundamental rights of users are better protected. While some work has to be done, the DSA is being applied step by step.
In combatting extremism online, this legislation is highly relevant. That is why we will look into the (expected) effects of the DSA on online P/CVE work as we currently know it. On the other hand, we should also be looking ahead in order to see what’s around the corner and whether the DSA will also be applicable to (potential) future online/technological developments. Or are other ways of working more fit to meet the challenges?
Therefore, the goal of this meeting will be twofold: the first goal is to explore the consequences of the DSA for current work, and the second goal is to explore what is expected to happen online over the next 5-10 years (what will the metaverse look like, and what could be the implications of Artificial Intelligence/AI, for instance) in order to assess the applicability of the DSA over the years to come.
- radicalisation
- Thursday 21 September 2023, 08:30 - Friday 22 September 2023, 17:30 (CEST)
- Budapest, Hungary
- External event
Practical information
- When
- Thursday 21 September 2023, 08:30 - Friday 22 September 2023, 17:30 (CEST)
- Where
- RAN C&NBudapest, Hungary
- Languages
- English
- Organisers
- RAN Practitioners Staff
Description
Relevant questions:
- What does the EU Digital Services Act mean for the online work of frontline practitioners and big/small tech companies? What impact is currently visible?
- What future technological developments are to be expected over the coming 5-10 years that could influence online extremism and P/CVE?
- What is the potential interplay between the DSA and future technological developments?
- Besides regulating using laws and regulations like the DSA, what other types of interventions are needed to: a) make the best use of new technology in preventing and countering extremism; and b) mitigate the risks surrounding the technological developments?
- What are the roles of P/CVE practitioners, the tech sector and policymakers here?
Target group
For the RAN Practitioners C&N Working Group meeting on ‘The future of online extremism and P/CVE - DSA and technological developments,’ we are looking for first-line practitioners and (academic) experts who are interested in participating in the meeting.
Please note that this is a face-to-face event taking place in Budapest, Hungary and requires travel. Your travel will be arranged by RAN, but do keep in mind that it will take up time. By registering, you confirm your availability and willingness to travel for this meeting.
For this meeting we are looking for:
- Practitioners from the C&N constituency who are experienced in dealing with disinformation, promoting media literacy, counter-narrative and alternative narrative campaigns and communications.
- Experts and futurists on technological developments (AI, Metaverse, etc) in online communications.
- Experts on the legal aspects of countering online extremism, including the DSA.
- Experts from (big) tech and social media companies as well as from smaller tech companies who have experience in dealing with extremist and/or polarising content.
Background information:
This meeting builds upon the outcomes of the RAN C&N working group meetings on ‘Digital Frontrunners in P/CVE’ (16 & 17 June 2022, Riga, Latvia) and ‘What’s going on online? Dealing with (potential) use of deep fake technology by extremists’ (10 & 11 November 2022, Helsinki, Finland).
Some background information on the topic of technological developments and on the implementation of the DSA can be found in the following external sources:
- UNICRI & UNCCT (2021) ‘Algorithms and Terrorism: The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence for Terrorist Purposes.’
- Rathenau Institute (2022) blog: ‘How to regulate manipulative AI?’
- McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook (August 2022)
- The ‘Digital Services Act package’ from the EU.
Deadline and practical information
If you are interested in participating in this meeting, please answer the questions in the following registration form.
Deadline: Please fill in the form no later than Friday 18 August. We will invite participants (and contributors) based on the answers given in the survey and on the order of registration.