The spread of generative AI has revolutionized the production of synthetic media content. In addition to creative potential, deepfakes in particular pose considerable risks: they can be used for political manipulation, to discredit individuals, and to spread disinformation. While technological and security policy debates are being conducted intensively, empirical studies on the social perception of deepfakes are rare.
On January 22, 2026, Dr. Josephine B. Schmitt, scientific coordinator at CAIS, presents a work-in-progress study under the title “Täuschend echt, gesellschaftlich wirksam? Deepfakes zwischen Sorge, Vertrauen und Zukunftsnarrativen (EN: Deceptively Real, Socially Impactful? Deepfakes Between Concern, Trust, and Future Narratives) at the conference “Zwischen Teilhabe und Silencing – Die Ambivalenz von Online-Diskussionen und ihre Konsequenzen” (EN: Between Participation and Silencing – The Ambivalence of Online Discussions and Their Consequences), focusing on the perspective of citizens. Using a combination of online surveys and qualitative content analysis of future scenarios, she investigates the risks, expectations, and possibilities for action attributed to deepfakes and how trust in institutions and democratic resilience are negotiated in the context of synthetic content.
The conference is organized by the “Media Reception and Effects” division of the German Association of Communication (DGPuK) and will take place from January 21 to 23 at the University of Klagenfurt, Austria.
Further information about the conference can be found in this document:
https://conference3.aau.at/event/240/attachments/133/458/Programm%20RezfoKlafu%202026.pdf