Fake News
festIVal

June 18-20, 2026

European University Viadrina
Frankfurt (Oder)

How does our world change when artificial intelligence produces content faster than we can verify it?

A free festival with workshops, talks and scientific perspectives – open to everyone.

Workshops

THE
FESTIVAL

The Fake News Festival brings together science, practice, and the public to examine disinformation, artificial intelligence, and the future of our information society from diverse perspectives. In keynotes, lectures, and workshops, experts from research, media, politics, and civil society discuss how AI is changing the creation and spread of fake news, what risks and opportunities are associated with it, and how we can better recognize and counter digital manipulation.

The festival is aimed at everyone who wants to understand how disinformation is created, why it works – and what role AI plays in it. The goal is to make knowledge accessible, to stimulate debate, and to create space for exchange, questions, and new ideas.

scIeNce

PROGRaM

Keynotes & Panels

Research Talks

Workshops

Supporting Program

Keynote speeches and panels address current topics and bring different voices together. The focus is on exchange, contextualization, and open discussion.

The scientific presentations introduce new research ideas and findings. They are short, focused, and include time for questions and discussion.

Here, hands-on learning takes place instead of just listening: Workshops offer practical experience with fake news and artificial intelligence. Participation is expressly encouraged – no prior knowledge is necessary.

Beyond the content itself, there's plenty on offer: cinema, parties and overnight accommodation ensure that there's time to get to know each other, exchange ideas and unwind.

debate

woRkSHOPS

The Fake News Festival is organized by the European University Viadrina . It is designed and organized by researchers and students of the Viadrina and brings current research, teaching, and societal debates surrounding disinformation, AI, and the digital public sphere to the stage.

The European University Viadrina stands for interdisciplinary research on digital transformation processes – and these perspectives shape the festival. At the same time, it sees itself as an open format extending beyond the campus: with events at various locations in Frankfurt (Oder) and the surrounding area. The region creates spaces for exchange between science, urban society, schools, initiatives and all interested parties.

THE
INITIATIVE

Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Romy Jaster

Keynote

Philosopher on disinformation and public discourse, researcher at Humboldt University of Berlin, spokesperson for the DFG priority program Rethinking Disinformation, author of The Truth Abolishes Itself – How Fake News Shapes Politics

Max Fröhlich

Keynote

Mathematician and doctoral candidate at the Weierstrass Institute and the Humboldt University of Berlin, specializing in AI and quantum computers, explains complex AI topics in an understandable way on social media as @max.froehlich .

Ramak Molavi Vasse’i

Keynote

Digital rights lawyer and independent AI researcher (“The Law Technologist”), guest lecturer at the University of Potsdam and advisor on AI governance (Human in Command), with a focus on AI ethics and governance, privacy, data protection, and the regulation of emerging technologies.

Agenda