COSMOS director Prof. Nitin Agarwal was recently hosted by the Arkansas Research Alliance’s (ARA) Project Scope on October 2nd to speak about how the COSMOS team combats digital misinformation and influence campaigns using AI-powered approaches.

Prof. Agarwal discussed how our research focuses on analyzing multimedia content across social platforms to identify coordinated inauthentic behavior, including elections and crises. He emphasized COSMOS research supports policymakers domestically and worldwide, noting the importance of translating research into practical tools for decision-makers. Prof. Agarwal discussed how research helps in combating multimedia-based cognitive attacks and disinformation campaigns in different regions of the world. He went on to explain how COSMOS uses AI-powered data fusion models to analyze vast amounts of multimedia content, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and the like. This work focuses on three main areas: detecting coordinated human and AI manipulation campaigns, characterizing information actors, and analyzing how disinformation spreads like epidemics. He highlighted successful counter-disinformation efforts, such as the one during Taiwan’s 2024 elections, where a whole-society approach effectively debunked a disinformation campaign within 24 hours. Research at COSMOS has been recognized by the US Defense Department, NATO, and various defense and intelligence organizations.

The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) is a public-private partnership focused on advancing Arkansas’s economy through research and innovation. ARA invests in recruiting and retaining top research talent and fosters collaborations between industry, government, and academia. Its efforts aim to enhance job creation, stimulate the economy, and bridge science with practical, marketable applications for statewide impact.

To hear the full presentation, visit here.