So What?: Understanding Disinformation and Election Integrity with Hillary Coover Tech Transforms, sponsored by Dynatrace

Can you spot a deepfake? Will AI impact the election? What can we do individually to improve election security? Hillary Coover, one of the hosts of the It’s 5:05! Podcast, and Tracy Bannon join for another So What? episode of Tech Transforms to talk about all things election security. Listen in as the trio discusses cybersecurity stress tests, social engineering, combatting disinformation and much more.
Key Topics04:21 Preconceived notions make it harder to fake.06:25 AI exacerbates spread of misinformation in elections.11:01 Be cautious and verify information from sources.14:35 Receiving suspicious text messages on multiple phones.18:14 Simulation exercises help plan for potential scenarios.19:39 Various types of tests and simulations explained.23:21 Deliberate disinformation aims to falsify; consider motivation.27:44 India election, deepfakes, many parties, discerning reality.32:04 Seeking out info, voting in person important.34:18 Honest cybersecurity news from trusted source.38:33 Addressing bias in AI models, historic nuance overlooked.39:24 Consider understanding biased election information from generative AI.
Navigating the Disinformation QuagmireDissecting Misinformation and DisinformationHillary Coover brings attention to the pivotal distinction between misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation is the spread of false information without ill intent, often stemming from misunderstandings or mistakes. On the other hand, disinformation is a more insidious tactic involving the intentional fabrication and propagation of false information, aimed at deceiving the public. Hillary emphasizes that recognizing these differences is vital in order to effectively identify and combat these issues. She also warns about the role of external national entities that try to amplify societal divisions by manipulating online conversations to serve their own geopolitical aims.
Understanding Disinformation and Misinformation: "Disinformation is is a deliberate attempt to falsify information, whereas misinformation is a little different." — Hillary CooverThe Challenges of Policing Social Media ContentThe episode dives into the complexities of managing content on social media platforms, where Tracy Bannon and Hillary discuss the delicate balance required to combat harmful content without infringing on freedom of speech or accidentally suppressing valuable discourse. As part of this discussion, they mention their intention to revisit and discuss the book "Ministry of the Future," which explores related themes. Suggesting that this novel offers insights that could prove valuable in understanding the intricate challenges of regulating social media. There is a shared concern about the potential for an overly robust censorship approach to hinder the dissemination of truth as much as it limits the spread of falsehoods.
The Erosion of Face-to-Face Political DialogueThe conversation transitions to the broader societal implications of digital dependency. Specifically addressing how the diminishment of community engagement has led individuals to increasingly source news and discourse from digital platforms. This shift towards isolationistic tendencies, amplified by the creation of digital echo chambers, results in a decline of in-person political discussions. As a result, there is growing apprehension about the future of political discourse and community bonds, with Hillary and Tracy reflecting on the contemporary rarity of open, face-to-face political conversations that generations past traditionally engaged in.
The Shadow of Foreign Influence and Election IntegrityChallenges in India’s Multiparty Electoral SystemIn the course of the discussion, the complexity of India's...