How will our world change if artificial intelligence produces content faster than we can check it? This question is the focus of the Fake News Festival, which will take place for the first time in Frankfurt (Oder) and the region from Thursday 18 June to Saturday 20 June. The free festival developed by students and researchers at the European University Viadrina brings together scientific perspectives, participatory formats, debates and entertainment.
In the various formats, the programme explores the questions of how disinformation arises, why it works - and what role artificial intelligence plays in this. The aim is to make knowledge accessible beyond the campus, initiate debates and create space for dialogue, questions and new ideas. "Today, photos can be generated in seconds, AI models create convincing texts or deepfakes, and the question is increasingly being asked: what content can we actually still trust? At the same time, the long-term consequences of these technologies for public debates, democracy, knowledge and social trust are still largely unclear," says Prof Dr Charlotte Köhler, explaining the relevance of the topic. As one of the initiators of the Fake News Festival, she emphasises: "These questions should not only be discussed in small circles of experts. They affect us all."
Ira Helten, who is developing the format together with Charlotte Köhler, emphasises: "With the festival, we want to build bridges between academia and civil society. Our activities are deliberately not only aimed at students, but also invite young people and senior citizens with and without prior knowledge to take part."
In addition to Viadrina academics who conduct interdisciplinary research into digital transformation issues, renowned experts and practitioners shape the festival programme. The focus will be on guests having their say and getting involved, with open discussion rounds and workshops providing opportunities for this. A more detailed programme will follow.
When and where?
Thursday, 18 June, to Saturday, 20 June 2026
European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
Further information and registration
For more information and to register, please visit:
www.fakenewsfestival.de