How Taiwan’s Young Techies Fight Political Disinformation

In January, Taiwan elected a new president but there were three deeper stories behind the headlines: voters were bombarded with a stream of disinformation to influence their views and votes; Taiwan’s techies countered by using generative AI to publicize and fight this manipulation; and young voters were more influential than ever before. Puma Shen and Jason Hsu—a current legislator and a former one, both deeply experienced with technologies and tech-enabled politics—join us to discuss what young activists and techies everywhere can learn from Taiwan about countering disinformation tactics and techniques.

Can Authoritarians Be Challenged When the Ballot Box is Rigged?

In an open election, the winner is the one who gets more votes. But what happens when authoritarians stage “selections” instead of elections, or try to rig the outcome while still allowing other parties and candidates to campaign? Mu Sochua and David Smolansky Urosa, prominent Cambodian and Venezuelan opposition leaders who managed to win election to office against the odds, share their perspectives on how bold oppositionists around the world have tried to challenge authoritarians at the heavily tilted ballot box—and ultimately retain and even build connections from exile to home.

Is Crypto Becoming a Tool for Political Change?

Crypto divides the global political class. Some see only crime in crypto—a source of bribes, illegal donations, and money laundering. But in countries like South Korea, many young voters support crypto-friendly candidates. Some aim to use blockchain technology to reshape electoral processes. And crypto is becoming especially popular among oppositionists and dissidents who see it as a tool to avoid the heavy hand of dictatorial regimes. Can crypto be harnessed for political good?

Rocking Out For Political Change

In Mongolia, rock and roll helped to spur a revolution that toppled seven decades of Communist dictatorship. In China, Cui Jian’s song “Nothing to My Name” defined a generation of youth and became an anthem of the 1989 protests in Tiananmen Square. From Russia to Latin America, music—but especially rock—has helped to spur political mobilization on six continents. How and why has rock spurred change, or not, around the world? How can rockers across borders learn from each other's experiences with movements and mobilization?

Bad Guys Want Deepfakes to Influence Elections—Here’s How to Fight Back

In Argentina, both presidential candidates used AI generated videos. In Slovakia, a deepfake may have sunk a leading candidate’s campaign. In every country, voters may soon come to doubt who and what is actually real. Here’s how to counter deepfakes and preserve political integrity

Are Women the Force to Topple Dictatorships and Preserve Democracies?

In Russia’s authoritarian “selections,” most voters are women while female artists are a potent political force. In Western electoral democracies, economic and social issues are mobilizing a new generation of women not just to vote but to run for office. Whether dictatorships or democracies, women have tremendous power—but they need to use their power in unconventional ways and leverage new technologies.