Articles

ESMH regularly publishes articles on topics related to science and new technologies that provoke a lot of media attention and that are important in the European context. Most importantly, the articles are written with the help of science writers in journalistic style and always provide the opinion of one or more scientists on the topic. The publications are accompanied by a selection of links to related information and with a focus on European research and knowledge in the field.

ESMH : Science and Practice of Virality on Social Media

ESMH : Science and Practice of Virality on Social Media

What drives virality on social media platforms? And how the European message can be conveyed more effectively?

Kristof Varga at ESMH Event

Kristof Varga : “Content does not make things viral. People do.”

Kristof Varga is a Consultant on policy development and social media and formerly Director of the Public Division at Bakamo.Social. He participated in the ESMH event Virality and influencers in digital communication on 3 April 2019 in the European Parliament.

ESMH Online disinformation during elections

Online disinformation during elections : researchers in Europe team up to monitor and analyse the situation

As has been the case for many recent national elections, the European Parliament elections are also facing the challenges of online disinformation. The European Commission is making an extra effort to push giant tech companies to implement a voluntary code of conduct against disinformation. European researchers are preparing the first studies on the topic.

Michael Bossetta at the ESMH Event

Michael Bossetta : “We need more research into what are the best technological structures to facilitate meaningful dialogue”

Michael Bossetta is social media expert, political and data scientist at the University of Copenhagen and podcaster. He participated in the ESMH event Virality and influencers in digital communication on 3 April in the European Parliament.

The promise and limitations of technological solutions to disinformation © Inked Pixels / Shutterstock

The promise and limitations of technological solutions to disinformation

How useful can machine-learning be in dealing with vectors of disinformation such as deep fakes or bots, and what are the implications of AI-powered fact-checking and deprioritising systems for media pluralism and freedom of expression?

Towards a democratically upgraded artificial intelligence

Towards a democratically upgraded Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence challenges democracies but democratic institutions, especially in the EU, are not mere bystanders and are in the process of supporting AI and providing a legal framing, through education and regulation.

Autonomous cars : will roads be safer if algorithms replace human drivers?

Autonomous cars : will roads be safer if algorithms replace human drivers?

Research on autonomous cars has received a boost from the European Parliament, but the technology still raises many questions. Can it be safe and ethical? Will it totally eliminate the need for human drivers? And, of course: when will this happen?

Fake news and mass media, truth with ESMH

Scott Brennen: “We live in a kind of post-truth age where science facts are doubted”

Scott Brennen from the Oxford Martin Programme on Misinformation, Science, and Media investigates how changing media structures and technologies are shaping the scientific information and scientific misinformation.