A highly topical and multi-level discussion on Artificial Intelligence and its role in shaping truth in the digital age took place at the 11th Delphi 2026 Economic Forum. At the heart of the discussion, which was entitled “Artificial Intelligence and the Battle for Truth in the Digital Age”, was the crucial question of whether the rapid development of AI systems functions as a tool to enhance knowledge and transparency or as a multiplier of misinformation and confusion in public debate.
The panel included the Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, the professor of the Athens University of Economics and Business and partner of EY Christos Tarantilis, the journalist of the Athens-Macedonian News Agency Alexandra Gouta, and the writer Christos Chomenidis.
The discussion highlighted a common concern that artificial intelligence is not just a technological tool, but a catalyst that accelerates already existing pathologies of the digital ecosystem, most notably the spread of misinformation. The interventions ranged from the institutional dimension of the problem – such as the need to strengthen the European framework for the regulation and implementation of DSA – to its social and educational dimension, with an emphasis on digital literacy and the “cognitive shielding” of citizens.
Particular emphasis was placed by speakers on the issue of user identification on the internet and the transparency of content produced by AI, with typical interventions highlighting the need for clear labelling, accountability of platforms and institutional barriers against the spread of fake news. At the same time, the existential dimension of the issue was also put on the table, with reflections on the relationship between human judgment and algorithmic “convenience”, as well as the danger of the gradual substitution of critical thinking by ready-made digital answers.
Dmitris Papastergiou: We must end anonymity on the internet
Whether AI ultimately brings more truth or more misinformation: We have deified the technology, but I think that our total acceptance of what AI models provide has already led us to many false conclusions. We should, after the excitement and sensationalism, get down to earth and put things in perspective. Help people, and especially young children, to look deeper for the truth beyond summaries and descriptions. The quick and easy “truth” of AI is not always the real truth.
On how the state can put the brakes on something that spreads digitally much faster than official announcements and denials: The first thing to do is to see how false, fabricated news does not get past the filters of the platforms. Fake news runs very fast when it passes through social media. Platforms make money from such content, so they let it go when they can tell it’s fabricated. This is where Europe needs to put barriers in place. It cannot be done only at national level. As part of the European common market, Europe must force platforms to stop spreading fake videos.
If there is a way to react through legislation: There is the DSA (Digital Services Act), which stipulates that anyone who is affected can contact the competent body (in Greece it is EETT), which in turn notifies the platform. However, this process, while running relatively quickly, remains slower than the dissemination of the news itself.
On the issue of online anonymity: I fully agree with the need to identify every user on the internet. Platforms should be forced to ask for identifying information. Nowadays this is technically possible. We need to end anonymity. Even if someone writes under a pseudonym, it should be possible to identify them if a legal issue arises.
On the next step regarding the control of misinformation: we need to move to regulating AI-generated content so that it is clear to the user that it is an AI product. If there were responsible platforms, there would be responsible information. But because profit often comes first, intervention at the European level is a one-way street to protect our democracies.
Pavlos Marinakis: Democracy is not promiscuity – We need rules and user identification on the internet
On the biggest risk from the use of artificial intelligence ahead of elections: The risk is that an election result will be altered. But I don’t think deepfake video is the biggest risk. The problem is an unsigned article on a site or an anonymous social media account that can upload a video and tell a story that can’t be proven very quickly to be false about a candidate.
On how to deal with misinformation and “character assassination” online: We need to adjust the legislative framework and control mechanisms so that people know what they see is what it is. At the very least, they should know that it is a product of artificial intelligence. I insist again and again on the identification of every user on the Internet. Not to remove pseudonymity, but to let everyone know that behind every profile there is a specific person. Anyone who is not committing an illegal act has nothing to fear.
To ensure that social media platforms protect democracy: Democracy is not promiscuity, it is not something that has no rules, laws and restrictions. We have to take the lead at European level and say that if a platform wants to operate in a state, it must respect certain self-evident rules. It must identify its users and it must compulsorily inform the user when a video is the product of artificial intelligence. This is a matter of vital importance.
On whether AI is the main tool for producing fake
