The Matrix movies suggest that individuals can choose between the real world and an artificial world. But how true is this? How much agency do individuals have in a world of cyber anti-trust, malicious online actors and algorithm fueled social media?

Disinformation, and well-established methods of influence are finding new life through cyber as new channel of engagement. This is ‘back to the future’. We look at how well established methods of influence (the old tricks of disinformation, psyops, influence) are finding new life through cyber-enabled methods (new online channels as well as machine learning, algorithms, AI).

Disinformation is having a significant, detrimental impact on national security (election interference, undermining democratic institutions, destabilizing social cohesion). Organisations today may not be equipped to handle the convergence of cyber into every aspect of business, government, and our everyday lives. We continue to play catchup, but the day of reckoning is coming.

The question is, as technologists, what can we, and what do we, do about it? This final question will be answered through Accenture’s own experience in this challenging space.

• What is disinformation: fake news, dis- and mis- information, historical elements
• How does the cyber landscape enable disinformation: tech, cyber, algorithms, AI, Machine learning
• Can disinformation be identified in real time?
• What tools and methodologies are available to counter the threat? including examples of cyber OSINT platforms for intelligence analysis and threat detection