Anatomy of Influence: Unveiling Global Impact in the Digital Era
July 23-25, 2024 | Tallinn, Estonia
Hosted by DCN Global and World Learning, the "Anatomy of Influence” forum unfolds in Tallinn, Estonia—a hub of the digital revolution. Dedicated to unraveling the complex layers of influence in our increasingly digital world, this event fosters a comprehensive understanding and strategic navigation of digital influence.
Exploring the profound impact of digital technology on communication and influence, the forum ignites conversations on the democratization of content creation and its global effects. It also promotes strategies that harness digital platforms for positive change.
Participants delve into the changing dynamics of influence, understanding and combating disinformation, and the role of influencers in shaping foreign policy and managing communication during crises.
Dates: July 24-25, 2024
Location: Tallin Creative Hub, Kultuuri Katel, Kursi 3 Tallin (Stalker Hall), (kultuurikatel.ee)
Day 1
The Landscape of Digital Influence: Navigating Through Complexity
Keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops delve into the transformative power of technology, analyzing influence across digital platforms and the democratization of content creation and dissemination.
Day 2:
Spreading Positive Impact
Focused discussions explore strategic approaches to disseminating constructive digital messaging, leveraging innovative technologies for inclusivity, and understanding the impact of influencers on public opinion and foreign policy.
The forum delivers insights into effective strategies for content dissemination and crisis management, aiming to shape a resilient digital world driven by informed influence and constructive communication.
The forum is organized by World Learning and Digital Communication Network Global with funding from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
SCHEDULE
JULY 24
The Landscape of Digital Influence: Navigating Through Complexity
Moderators:
- Aurra Kawanzaruwa, Director, Africa is Digital, Zimbabwe
- Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, Advisor Special Secretariat for Foresight, Presidency of the Government of Hellenic Republic, Greece
Welcome Remarks
- The Honorable George P. Kent, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia
- Nikos Panagiotou, President, DCN Global, Greece
The Evolution of Influence in the Digital Age
Moderator: Nikos Panagiotou, President, DCN Global, Greece
Speakers
- Franak Viacorka, Chief Political Advisor to Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya, Belarus
- Karina Santos, Head of Media, Democracy and Technology, Institute for Technology & Society (ITS), Brazil
- Dr. Jill Goldenziel, Professor, National Defense University, College of Information and Cyberspace, Founder and CEO, Jill Goldenziel Strategy, U.S.
- Rita Costa Cots, Arts & Personhood Lead, Build Up, Spain
Coffee Break
Countering Disinformation and Aggression Through Public Diplomacy
Dr. Jian (Jay) Wang, Director of the Center on Public Diplomacy and Associate Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, U.S.
Strategic Aims and Influence Operations in the Digital Age
Moderator: Matt Bikoff, Cultural Coordinator, Office of Press and Public Diplomacy of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, U.S.
Speakers
- Dr. Eviane Leidig, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
- Givi Gigitashvili, Research Associate, Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, Poland
- Lennon Yao-Chung Chang, Associate Professor, Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin Cyber Research and Innovation Centre, Deakin University, Australia
- Olga Belogolova, Director of the Emerging Technologies Initiative, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Professor at the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at SAIS, U.S.
- Franak Viacorka, Chief Political Advisor to Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya, Belarus
Lunch Break
Navigating Influence Around The World
Moderator: Dr. Jill Goldenziel, Professor, National Defense University, College of Information and Cyberspace, Founder and CEO, Jill Goldenziel Strategy, U.S.
Speakers
- Dr. Jian (Jay) Wang, Director of the Center on Public Diplomacy and Associate Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, U.S.
- Dr. Bernie Hogan, Associate Professor of Media Studies, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, U.K.
- Samuel Kamau, Lecturer, Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communication, Kenya
- Raashi Saxena, Public Interest Technologist, India
Coffee Break
Virtual Presence and Global Impact
Moderator: Daniel Arbol, Coordinator of the Digital Policy and Cyberspace Committee, Argentine Council for International Relations, Argentina
Speakers
- Amber Macintyre, Project Lead of the Influence Industry Project, Tactical Tech, Germany
- Ashton Kingdon, Lecturer in Criminology, Admissions Tutor, Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, U.K.
- Signe Ivask, PhD, Journalism Sociology Research Fellow, University of Tartu, Estonia
Spreading Positive Impact
The Influence of Pop Culture on Disinformation, Populism, and Cultural Performances within Digital Communities
Gernot Wolfram, Professor of Arts and Media Management, Macromedia University, Germany
Technology, Civil Society, and Political Participation
Moderator: Diana Filimon, DCN Global Team Member, Romania
Speakers
- Michael J. Oghia, Consultant – Digital Infrastructure, Cyber Resilience, Internet Governance & Media Development, Serbia
- Akilnathan X. Logeswaran, Leading Tech Engagement, Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Germany
- Aurra Kawanzaruwa, Director, Africa is Digital, Zimbabwe
Coffee Break
Digital Influence and Media Products
Moderator: Marianna Tanagia, Communications Director, DCN Global, Greece
Speakers
- Christina Nemr, Founder and CEO, Becera, U.S.
- Rishad Patel, Co-founder, Splice Media, Singapore
- Teodor Tiță, Co-founder, Gen, știri & Genzette, Romania
Case Study: Analysis and Reporting of Complex Global Events (Workshop)
Moderator: Nikos Panagiotou, President, DCN Global, Associate Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Students/Researchers from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Story by: Georgios Karagiorgos, Charikleia Christina Konstantinidou, and Irene Peklari
- Data visualizations by: Eleni Chantzi, Spiros Panagiotou, and Konstantinos Trapezanidis
- Audio story by: Vasilis Dimokas and Alexandros Papakonstantopoulos
- Video by: Dimitris Eleftheriadis, Pinelopi Stolikidou, and George Mylonas
Lunch Break
Workshops
Workshop 1: Influence from Analog to Digital and AI: Situational Awareness Building and Response
In this workshop, participants will explore the evolution of influence operations from historical analog methods to modern digital techniques and AI-generated content. Through a comparative analysis of historical and contemporary examples, along with an AI vs. human detection exercise, participants will uncover the nuances between different tactics and the complexities of identifying and attributing influence operations using content alone. The session will also dive into simplicity of various techniques employed by threat actors, challenging common misconceptions about the sophistication and effectiveness of modern influence strategies.
Olga Belogolova, Director of the Emerging Technologies Initiative, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Professor at the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at SAIS, U.S.
Workshop 2: The Influence Industry: How To Investigate Companies Profiting From Elections
In this workshop, we will explore how a team of researchers from Tactical Tech's "Influence Industry Project" uncovered over 500 firms working in election campaigns, the tools and services they offer to political parties, and the mixed-method approach necessary for documenting this opaque industry across the world. We will look at the benefits and disadvantages of each method, and how to work with other experts to produce comprehensive research. We will share the tools we used, as well as our findings, as a foundation for researching
the industry profiting from political influence in upcoming elections.
Amber Macintyre, Project Lead of The Influence Industry Project, Tactical Tech, Germany
Workshop 3: Influencers Mapping
In this workshop, we will delve into the complexities of political communication and explore the various layers necessary to identify key actors on social media and develop effective digital campaigns and strategies. Participants will gain insights into the essential pillars to understand the current network logic and the challenges in influencer mapping. Through a practical exercise, attendees will learn how to utilize tools for mapping influencers and apply these skills in group activities. Bringing a notebook or laptop is recommended for hands-on practice.
Karina Santos, Head of Media, Democracy and Technology, Institute for Technology & Society (ITS), Brazil
Coffee Break
Opportunity for Participants to Briefly Introduce Their Relevant Projects
The Future of Influence & Closing Remarks
Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, Advisor Special Secretariat for Foresight, Presidency of the Government of Hellenic Republic, Greece
Speakers
