Renée DiResta, head of the US Senate investigation into Russian online propaganda, reveals the inner workings of today’s disinformation campaigns.
Disinformation - strategic deception with the goal to confuse and overwhelm - has become a common tactic to influence public opinion and is affecting us all. The speed and magnitude of the internet and social media paired with Artificial Intelligence (AI) are accelerating and intensifying the impact of fake news and false rumours.
Renée DiResta is a leading researcher on the topic and the former Technical Research Manager at Stanford Internet Observatory, a non-partisan project to analyse online disinformation. She has spent years investigating major cases of online propaganda and even led the US Senate investigation into the activities of the Russian Internet Research Agency in 2018.
She will pay us a visit not only for an insightful talk but also for the signing of her new book published earlier this year: Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality.
Get your hands on a fresh copy and join the conversation!
speaker
Renée DiResta is a leading expert on digital misinformation, influence operations, and the ways in which online ecosystems shape our understanding of reality. Formerly the Technical Research Manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory, DiResta has spent years analyzing how state and non-state actors manipulate social media platforms to influence public opinion. Her work spans major investigations, including disinformation campaigns tied to Russian interference in U.S. elections and the spread of anti-vaccine activism.
DiResta brings a unique blend of experience from Wall Street, venture capital, and the tech startup world, giving her a profound understanding of the algorithms and systems that power our digital lives. She has briefed world leaders, government agencies, and organizations on the implications of online influence, tackling subjects from election disinformation to the impact of generative AI on child safety. DiResta is also an outspoken advocate for STEM education and public health, co-founding the advocacy organization Vaccinate California in response to early anti-vax movements.
moderator
Charlie Stuart is a distinguished British diplomat with a rich background in military service, diplomacy, and security strategy. Currently the European Union’s Chief Security Advisor on Africa, Charlie plays a crucial role in shaping security policies across the continent.
Before entering diplomacy, Charlie served with distinction in the British Army. His transition into diplomatic service saw him hold senior roles, including Head of Delegation for the EU in Tanzania and Deputy Chief of Mission in both Tanzania and Iraq.
In addition to his public service, Charlie brings valuable experience from the private sector, where he served as a director of a global security firm based in the UK. He also has a background in corporate law, specializing in major projects and oil exploration.