Over the past few years, our media landscape has become increasingly populated with AI-generated content. From chatbots to deepfakes, it is becoming even more difficult to tell what is real and authentic online versus what’s been designed to deceive us. New tools powered by artificial intelligence are being released that make it easier, faster and cheaper to generate all types of content, while regulations struggle to keep up.

In turn, the harms that have always existed online – from scams and harassment to social polarisation – are now being “supercharged” by AI. Amidst the media hype about AI, malicious actors are also using it to target individuals with scams or multiple types of harassment and influence. Though it can often be difficult to detect, AI tools are being used to fabricate news, imitate reality, and influence our opinions and behaviours.

The Media and Information Literacy for Societal Resilience through pan-European Library Networks (MILSR) project aims to enhance societal resilience by equipping libraries across Europe with the skills, tools and resources needed to be effective, innovative, future-fit advocates and facilitators for media and information literacy (MIL).

Building on Tactical Tech’s (TT) years of experience on public engagement, and on DensityDesign Lab’s (DD) experience on data visualization and information design, researchers will work with seasoned librarians to implement innovative critical thinking programs.
MILSR extends the success of previous MIL endeavors to ensure broader public engagement in Europe.

The project is guided by the following objectives:

• Resource Development: Produce state-of-the-art resources focusing specifically on:

• AI, synthetic media and information automation

• Online harassment

• Scams

• Online radicalisation

• Resource Integration: Curation of new materials together with existing resources which address misinformation, data privacy and the environmental tech footprint and collaborate with librarians for adaptation, translation, and engagement.

• Pan-European Implementation: Incorporate MIL resources into library events across 10 European countries, reaching 50 locations, fostering MIL advocates in European cities.

IFLA Library Networks who are part of this initiative:
Association of Greek librarians (Greece); Associazione Italiana Biblioteche (Italy); Czech National Library (Czech Republic); Estonian Librarians Association (Estonia); National and University Library in Zagreb (Croatia); Rede de Bibliotecas Escolares (Portugal); Romanian Library Association & West University of Timisoara (Romania), Slovak National Library (Slovakia); and Ukrainian Library Association (Ukraine).

Starting in November 2024, the exhibition and main output of the project will present visitors with communication artifacts focused on four topics related to AI and the online dimension.