Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how information is made, shared and consumed. Increasingly sophisticated AI-generated videos, audio and images are making it more difficult to distinguish authentic content from misleading or fabricated information, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly during elections.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in partnership with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and other key stakeholders, will host a virtual media roundtable to explore these challenges and their implications for the electoral information environment.
The discussion will focus on the role of fact-checking and public communication in countering misinformation and disinformation, and how science, technology and collaboration among stakeholders can help safeguard the integrity of public information.
The roundtable will bring together experts from the CSIR, GCIS, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Africa Check, Media Monitoring Africa, the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change, Tales of Turning, and other relevant organisations.
Participants will explore how AI and data science can support the analysis of online public discourse, the identification of emerging narratives and the strengthening of a more trusted information environment.
Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Journalists who wish to RSVP or request interviews after the event are requested to contact the person below.
For media enquiries, contact:
Phetolo Phatsibi, CSIR Media Practitioner
E-mail: PPhatsibi@csir.co.za
Cell: 081 396 8871
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