Nina Jankowicz is a internationally-recognized expert on disinformation and democratization, one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, the co-founder of The American Sunlight Project, and the author of two books: How to Lose the Information War (2020), which The New Yorker called “a persuasive new book on... Read more
Nina Jankowicz is a internationally-recognized expert on disinformation and democratization, one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, the co-founder of The American Sunlight Project, and the author of two books: How to Lose the Information War (2020), which The New Yorker called “a persuasive new book on disinformation as a geopolitical strategy,” and How to Be A Woman Online (2022), an examination of online abuse and disinformation and tips for fighting back, which Publishers Weekly named “essential.” Jankowicz has advised governments, international organizations, and tech companies, and testified before the US Congress, and the UK, Canadian, and European Parliaments. In 2024, she was recognized for her Distinguished Professional Contributions to Media Psychology and Technology by Division 46 of the American Psychological Association. She teaches a graduate level course on Disinformation and Influence in the Digital Age for Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
In 2022, Jankowicz was appointed by President Joe Biden to lead the Disinformation Governance Board, an intra-agency best practices and coordination entity at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. From 2017-2022, Jankowicz held fellowships at the Wilson Center, where she led accessible, actionable research about the effects of disinformation on women and freedom of expression around the world. She advised the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on strategic communications under the auspices of a Fulbright-Clinton Public Policy Fellowship in 2016-17. Early in her career, she managed democracy assistance programs to Russia and Belarus at the National Democratic Institute.
In today’s information ecosystem, artificial intelligence has become both a beacon of innovation and a potential accelerant for the erosion of democratic norms. As we witness the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content, from deepfakes to automated disinformation campaigns, the very fabric of our democratic discourse is under threat. These technologies...
Looking toward 2026, we stand at a crossroads for the future of information and democracy. The challenges before us—AI-driven disinformation, declining trust in institutions, and attacks on free speech—demand a bold, coordinated response. We must move beyond piecemeal solutions and instead embrace a roadmap that centers on participatory democracy, digital...
As democratic institutions face mounting pressure from digital threats, the personal toll is often borne most acutely by individuals-especially women and marginalized voices-who are targeted by coordinated harassment and abuse online. The goal of these attacks is clear: to silence dissent, erode confidence, and push people out of public discourse....
As artificial intelligence becomes a cornerstone of economic and military power, it is rapidly reshaping the geopolitical landscape. From global tech alliances to the weaponization of disinformation, AI is no longer just a tool—it is a force multiplier in the struggle for influence, sovereignty, and security. In this timely keynote,...