METACOG Gathers in Košice to Tackle Disinformation and Boost AI Literacy

The project focuses on raising awareness of disinformation, strengthening critical thinking, and enhancing AI literacy among citizens, with a particular emphasis on educational approaches and practical tools for civil society.

The METACOG project aims to develop an interdisciplinary framework that connects technological, social, and educational dimensions to enhance society’s resilience to disinformation by fostering critical thinking and understanding how artificial intelligence systems work.

Partners from several European countries attended the meeting, including Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Technical University of Košice and The University of Montenegro, with the support of the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.

During the two-day programme, participants reviewed the progress of all project activities, including the development of the AI Literacy Programme, pilot testing of educational materials, and the project’s dissemination and sustainability strategy. Special attention was given to the co-design of the MOOC course and teaching materials, which will contribute to a broader understanding of the role of artificial intelligence in the context of media content and disinformation.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and good practices in digital and media literacy. Partners discussed ways to integrate AI literacy into higher education and broader societal processes, including collaboration with civil society organizations and institutions engaged in digital security and education.

About METACOG

METACOG is an EU-funded AI literacy programme designed to combat disinformation and fake news by promoting civic engagement and shared European values. The initiative aims to strengthen citizens’ ability—particularly among higher education students and teachers—to recognize and respond to disinformation through an innovative curriculum, AI-based tools, and best practices. By acknowledging the dual role of artificial intelligence in both generating and countering disinformation, METACOG seeks to empower individuals with the critical thinking and digital literacy skills essential for navigating today’s information landscape.

Targeting higher education institutions, government and non-governmental organizations, media professionals, and the general public, METACOG is led by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland) in collaboration with the Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), the University of Montenegro (Montenegro), and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands). The project is funded under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA220-HED) and will run from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027.