The second edition of the “Conferência Livre: Ciência pela Integridade da Informação” is currently taking place at the Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) auditorium in Brasília, from May 6 to May 7, 2025. This significant event aims to address the pressing issue of disinformation and the critical role of science in promoting a more informed society. It brings together representatives from scientific institutions, government bodies, and experts in information, communication, and technology.
Opening the conference, Professor Dora Kaufman from PUC-SP emphasized the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in communication. Her remarks set the tone for the discussions that followed, which centered on various thematic panels regarding the use of AI in combating disinformation, the ethical limits of automated data collection, the regulation of digital platforms, and the effects of disinformation on public management.
The conference is organized by the Poliedro group, which includes the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (Ibict), the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), CNPq, the Financing of Studies and Projects (Finep), and the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea). The initiative reflects a collective response from the scientific community to the challenges posed by disinformation.
During the opening session, CNPq President Ricardo Galvão highlighted the difficulties of communicating science in an era marked by denialism. He pointed out, “There is a very insidious way of exploiting the falsifiable nature of science. Denialists use this principle as an argument against scientific credibility.” His comments underscored the importance of maintaining public trust in science amidst a landscape rife with misinformation.
Tiago Braga, director of Ibict, also spoke about the collaborative nature of the event, stressing that the integrity of information is a public good vital for the social, environmental, and economic development of the country. “Information is the raw material that allows society to evolve. It is our role, as a scientific community, to ensure that it continues to be used to promote progress,” Braga stated.
Braga further emphasized the need for institutional resilience against the erosion of access to information, noting that the Poliedro group represents a collective response from Brazilian science to the risks associated with disinformation. “We are signaling that the scientific community is, as it has always been, willing to seek mechanisms to guarantee the integrity of information,” he concluded.
The conference features a diverse lineup of panels and discussions. In her inaugural lecture, Professor Kaufman urged a critical approach to technological development, stating, “The problem of AI is not in the technology itself, but in how it is designed and regulated. We need to reflect on data choices, system objectives, and their societal consequences.” She warned of the risk of AI being captured by economic interests, which tend to favor opaque and centralized models. “It is necessary for the regulatory debate to include civil society and consider ethical, political, and cultural aspects. Without this, technology will continue to reproduce inequalities and reinforce concentrated powers,” Kaufman added.
As the conference progresses, it will continue to gather specialists, public managers, and researchers to explore concrete ways to combat disinformation and strengthen science as a reliable reference for society. The event’s programming includes a range of topics, from the ethical implications of data collection to the impact of disinformation on public policies.
The full schedule of the event is available online, with sessions being broadcast on Ibict's YouTube channel. Notable discussions include:
- 10:00 AM - Opening Ceremony: “Disinformation as a Global Phenomenon: The Role of Science in Promoting Democracy and Social Development.”
- 10:30 AM - Conference: “Artificial Intelligence in Combating Disinformation” featuring Dora Kaufman.
- 2:00 PM - Debate 1: Data Collection, Ethics, and Transparency.
- 4:00 PM - Panel 1: Disinformation and Its Impacts on Science, Public Management, and Public Policies.
- 10:30 AM - Panel 2: Integrity of Information, Public Policies, and Diffuse Rights.
- 2:00 PM - Final Plenary Session.
This conference is not just a platform for discussion; it represents a concerted effort by the scientific community to confront the challenges posed by disinformation and to advocate for a society that values integrity in information. The ongoing dialogues are crucial as they aim to foster a more informed public, equipped to navigate the complexities of information in the digital age.
As the event unfolds, it is clear that the collaboration between scientific institutions and government entities is vital in addressing the multifaceted challenges of disinformation. The insights gained from this conference will likely influence policies and practices in the realm of science communication and public engagement moving forward.