Trust in technology: The urgent need to prevent misuse

Three unlikely partners join forces to host a dialogue on the use and misuse of technology. The Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre, the health enterprise Hemit HF and the research center NorwAI at NTNU are collaborating on the project "Democratic Resilience in the Age of Lies". 

All three work to strengthen trust in the technology that underpins modern society, while confronting the risks of its misuse. They believe this is essential for the public, for professionals and pasients. 

The meeting will take place first week of January 2026 at the Falstad Center.

- We aim to bring together individuals whos work intersects with AI, power, democracy, truth, security and threat perception, says Director at Stiftelsen Falstadsenteret Øyvind Skogvold. – Their diverse perspectives, from academia, public service, healthcare, the church, labour unions and finance, will fuel a crossdisciplinary conversation on how to navigate tachnology’s challenges resonsibly.

The dark side of AI

The rapid changes brought about by artificial intelligence come at a time of increasing threat, challenges to democracy as a form of governance, and the growth of more authoritarian regimes and an illiberal world order.

• How can authoritarian forces exploit AI to destabilize societies, blur the distinction between truth and falsehood, and thereby create fertile ground for their own expansion, while undermining democratic structures and institutions?
• How can we manage and reduce these risks and strengthen democratic resilience?

What is at stake?

The introduction to this seminar aligns closely wit the themes outlined in the Government's White Paper Report to the Storting No. 20 (2024-2025) which addresses efforts tu uphold democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Europe:

"Political propaganda, fake news and disinformation have existed at all times, but new technology has created more extensive opportunities to influence individuals and larger groups in the population. The possibilities for influencing an entire society by influencing the individual citizen have become greater. This type of operation threatens state and societal security. Openness in society and individual freedom are fundamental values and thus a strength, but also a vulnerability that can be exploited."

Signs in our times

Using digital tools and artificial intelligence, misinformation and disinformation are increasingly being spread by state and non-state actors, including violent extremists and terrorist groups, with various motives. Disinformation and influence campaigns undermine the population's trust in democratic processes and institutions, deepen  societal polarization and fuel intolerance and hatred.

- We aim to bring together professionals from across Norwegian society whose work intersects with these challenges, says Ketil Thorvik, Innovation Manager at Hemit HF, the technology enterprise of the Health Authority of  Central Norway. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, we seek to reflect collectively, become wiser together, and explore both the dangers and effective strategies prevent and deal with the challenges. 

The organizers

The research center NorwAI at NTNU, the health enterprise Hemit HF and the Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre are collaborating on the project "Democratic Resilience in the Age of Lies". All three work to build trust in the technology that our society needs, and to stem its misuse.

The Falstad Center Foundation is a peace and human rights center rooted in the history of the Falstad SS camp memorial site. The center works with documentation, dissemination and education based on prison history, human rights and democracy – with particular emphasis on how historical experiences can provide insight into our own time.

Hemit HF is the technology enterprise of the Health Authority of Mid-Norway. Hemit HF develops, manages and operates common ICT systems for all hospitals in Trøndelag and Møre og Romsdal. Hemit HF works closely with the hospitals on a joint initiative on AI in the Health Ministry of Mid-Norway, and participates in several national forums dealing with Artificial Intelligence in the health services.

The research center SFI NorwAI is the largest academic initiative for innovation with AI in Norway, and develops, among other things, Norwegian language models. NorwAI stands for the responsible use of AI, and is also tasked with shedding light on the effects AI has on society.

2025-12-17