Luminate’s Post

Starting now! 🔥   2024 has been a pivotal year for democracies worldwide, in Europe and beyond.    From political deepfakes to #AI-enhanced newsfeeds, the stakes couldn’t be higher.   At this POLITICO Europe event, we're gathering global policymakers, regulators, and thought leaders to tackle the urgent question: Are democracies ready for the challenge?   With Asha Allen, Maria Donde, Baybars Örsek, Elsa Pilichowski, and Krisztina Stump, and Guillermo Beltrà.

The intersection of social media, politics, and youth culture is reshaping Latin America.   A new report from our partner InternetLab - human rights and internet policy think tank offers a fresh look into how young people across Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile engage with influencers, form political opinions, and envision their futures in our digital age. From the rise of TikTok as a primary news source to the growing influence of politicians who adopt influencer-style communication strategies, this research offers fresh insights into how 16-24 years olds engage with digital content and form political opinions in Latin America. #ICYMI This study follows international trends in conducting qualitative studies on youth and democracy and presents new information about the behavior of Latin American youth regarding the popularization of the Internet, social networks, and streaming platforms in the region. Learn more from our report, Youth and Democracy in Latin America: https://lnkd.in/eY3ahmKD

This Monday, join POLITICO Europe, journalists, international policymakers, and thought leaders to explore how #AI is impacting elections and what it means for democracies worldwide. 🗳 The event will explore what the European parliamentary elections tell us about how technology is enhancing disinformation trends, and the impact of current tech legislation to tackle disinformation. Is there a ‘Brussels effect’ shaping governments’ response to AI, elections, and democracy globally? Register to watch the event online: https://lnkd.in/eNkThpGK

From this summer's UK unrest to broader international conflicts, Amnesty International’s Pat de Brún (he/him) examines the far-reaching consequences of online content policies of Big Tech companies and their implications in escalating racial tensions worldwide: 💡 "The introduction of these platforms based on the design choices that have been baked into them are really exacerbating these problems and are providing the far-right, for example, a powerful venue to incite hatred, to organise, and to recruit." Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/eihPU5t2

We are delighted to support the work of the newly formed AI Collective in Nigeria, which will coordinate research, innovation, and the governance and accountability of these technologies. The AI Collective will create a community of practice bringing together experts from civil society, academic, tech, and many other sectors to advance #AI in Nigeria and ensure it is safe, and used ethically, for the good of all. ➡ Read more about the Collective: https://lnkd.in/esiuCdzq ➡ Join the community: https://lnkd.in/eFcEKGna

We're proud to partner with the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and the MacArthur Foundation in launching the West Africa Democracy Fund. This initiative aims to contribute to expanding the democratic and civic spaces in West Africa by strengthening opportunities for citizens’ voices to be included in defining the norms that define the governance of their countries. Technology is increasingly intertwined with democratic processes in Africa. While technology eases participation in democracy, it has been used to harm disadvantaged groups and exclude others from important democratic processes. Our contribution aims to support organisations and initiatives working at the intersection of tech accountability, digital governance, and democracy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eqtWafwg

El entorno digital de Brasil se enfrenta a un desafío crítico: la falta de transparencia en los datos de las redes sociales está obstaculizando los esfuerzos para combatir la toxicidad en línea, particularmente contra las mujeres en la política.   Escribiendo para nuestra serie Lideresas de Latinoamerica con El Pais, Bárbara Libório y Ana Carolina Araujo de nuestra organización aliada Instituto Instituto AzMina destacan cómo el cierre de X en Brasil y el bloqueo de CrowdTangle, herramienta de Meta para transparencia para periodistas y personas investigadoras, han creado un "apagón de datos", haciendo casi imposible monitorear y abordar la violencia digital basada en género. Esta opacidad no solo silencia voces importantes, sino que también amenaza la diversidad en la política.   A medida que Brasil se acerca a las elecciones municipales, es crucial que las empresas tecnológicas, la sociedad civil y el gobierno colaboren para crear espacios en línea más seguros: "Si nada cambia, la política institucional seguirá perdiendo grandes talentos femeninos".   ----- O ambiente digital do Brasil enfrenta um desafio crítico: a falta de transparência nos dados das redes sociais está dificultando os esforços para combater a toxicidade online, principalmente contra mulheres na política.   Escrevendo para nossa série Lideresas de Latinoamérica com El Pais, Bárbara Libório e Ana Carolina Araujo, da nossa organização aliada Instituto AzMina, destacam como o fechamento do X no Brasil e o bloqueio do CrowdTangle, ferramenta de pesquisa da Meta de conteúdos que criava mais transparencia para jornalistas e pessoas pesquisadoras, criaram um "apagão de dados", tornando quase impossível monitorar e abordar a violência digital baseada em gênero. Essa opacidade não apenas silencia vozes importantes, mas também ameaça a diversidade na política.   Com a aproximação das eleições municipais no Brasil, é crucial que empresas de tecnologia, sociedade civil e governo colaborem para criar espaços online mais seguros: "Se nada mudar, a política institucional continuará perdendo grandes talentos femininos".

Brazil’s digital environment is facing a critical challenge: a lack of transparency in social media data is hindering efforts to combat online toxicity, particularly against women in politics.   Writing for our Women Leaders of Latin America series with El Pais, Bárbara Libório and Ana Carolina Araujo from our partner Instituto AzMina highlight how the closure of X's Brazil office and the blocking of CrowdTangle have created a "data blackout," making it nearly impossible to monitor and address digital gender-based violence. This opacity not only silences important voices but also threatens the diversity of political participation. As Brazil approaches municipal elections, it's crucial for tech companies, civil society, and government to collaborate on creating safer online spaces: "If nothing changes, institutional politics will continue to lose great female talents."

In a world where truth is increasingly under siege, we’re continuing to make bold choices to protect our shared reality. Our new $2 million grant to further support the International Fund for Public Interest Media will empower IFPIM to tackle the Goliath of our time: Big Tech's impact on the media landscape. IFPIM's work is critical in supporting media outlets in the Global South, where less than 10% of donor funds typically reaches. From Nicaragua to Nepal, public interest media outlets are fighting to survive – and this support offers a lifeline: it's a strategic investment in fostering independent media where quality journalism can thrive alongside technological innovation. As we navigate the waters of AI and digital disruption, initiatives like IFPIM are crucial in preserving the integrity of our information ecosystem. Learn more from Luminate's Alexandra Buccianti and Stephen King: