Course Overview

Duration: 2 Months | Mode: Online / Hybrid | Level: Intermediate – Advanced

Course Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how information is created, shared, and consumed. However, with this power comes the growing threat of AI-driven disinformation — from deepfakes and fake news to automated propaganda.
This two-month course explores the intersection of AI, media, and society, equipping learners with critical analytical and practical skills to identify, understand, and counter disinformation in the modern digital landscape.

Course Objectives

• Understand the nature and evolution of misinformation and disinformation.
• Examine how AI technologies amplify or combat disinformation.
• Explore the social, political, and ethical implications of algorithmic manipulation.
• Learn about real-world case studies and global regulatory responses.
• Develop strategic and research-based solutions for digital integrity.

📘 Two-Month Course Outline

Month 1: Understanding AI and Disinformation

Week 1: The Digital Age of Disinformation

• Misinformation vs. Disinformation: Key concepts and typologies
• History of propaganda and digital manipulation
• Social media ecosystems and echo chambers

Week 2: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

• Fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and deep learning
• Generative AI: Chatbots, algorithms, and large language models
• AI in media production and influence

Week 3: AI-Driven Disinformation Tools

• Deepfakes, bots, and automated misinformation networks
• Data harvesting and microtargeting techniques
• Case Studies: Political manipulation and digital propaganda

Week 4: Detection and Countermeasures

• AI for fact-checking and content verification
• Media literacy and digital resilience
• Emerging detection technologies and transparency tools

Month 2: Implications, Policies, and Future Directions

Week 5: Psychological and Social Impact

• Cognitive biases and susceptibility to fake content
• Online radicalization and social division
• The role of influencers and echo chambers

Week 6: Global Case Studies

• Disinformation in elections and international conflicts
• Russia–Ukraine digital warfare and global responses
• Case study: South Asia’s disinformation landscape

Week 7: Policy, Regulation, and Ethics

• Global AI ethics frameworks and digital governance
• The EU AI Act, UN guidelines, and national policies
• Balancing free speech, accountability, and regulation

Week 8: Future of Truth in the AI Era

• The rise of synthetic media and post-truth society
• Building trustworthy information ecosystems
• Final project: Propose an AI-based strategy to combat disinformation

💼 Who Should Enroll

• Students of media, communication, or international relations
• Policy professionals and educators
• Journalists, researchers, and digital analysts

Anyone interested in the intersection of technology, truth, and society