IREX is expanding its Learn to Discern (L2D) efforts in Ukraine with new AI initiatives. The new U.S. Department of State-funded Learn to Discern Artificial Intelligence project in Ukraine is a groundbreaking initiative that has the potential to transform the landscape of media literacy in the country. These initiatives are designed to equip secondary school teachers, students, parents/caregivers, and education stakeholders with the skills to critically evaluate synthetic content and combat manipulative information. Synthetic media – media content that is fully or partially generated or modified using artificial intelligence (AI) – may be on the verge of overwhelming the information space and eroding trust. 

“IREX's initiative to combine the topics of AI, media literacy, and information resilience in school curricula is extremely promising for Ukrainian education and our resilience as well, as it prepares young people for the challenges of the modern information society,” commended Hanna Krasnostup, Director of the Directorate for Information Policy and Information Security, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.

Ukraine’s urgent need for media literacy education stems from the increasing use of synthetic media in cognitive warfare by malign actors. These actors employ propaganda, troll farms, and tailored tactics to deceive and manipulate. The rise of synthetic media, such as deepfakes, poses a significant threat to the information space, making it crucial for individuals to develop the skills to navigate and evaluate such content effectively.

 Look closely at the AI-generated images used in this story. Do you discern anything unusual? Hints: fingers, writing on shirts, electronic devices, and hair are all common tells of current generative AI image generation. This is one of the many skills that students learn through IREX’s new program.

The new AI activities will address both challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence by adapting proven Learn to Discern in Education (L2D-Ed) models and relying on research, agility, responsiveness, and security awareness. IREX will create standalone curricula and introduce innovations to Ukrainian communities with a focus on synthetic media literacy and digital safety. These initiatives will build on the strong L2D-Ed network of over 2,000 schools and 5,000 teachers to organize in-depth teacher trainings. Informed by data and experience with L2D-Ed, IREX expects the new AI-focused efforts will lead to widespread adoption of lessons that introduce synthetic media and information literacy to 850 teachers, over 20,000 students, caregivers and parents, and key stakeholders in education policy.