The digital landscape is shifting under our feet, and it’s doing so faster than most of us can keep pace with.

With the meteoric rise of Generative AI, we’ve entered an era where the line between reality and manipulation isn't just thin—it’s being intentionally blurred. Big Tech pumps out new models daily, and with them comes a flood of content designed to deceive, manipulate, and push hidden agendas.

When I was asked to speak on this in January, my gut reaction was immediate: "We need to talk about this. Now."

The Challenge of "Common Sense"

When you live and breathe this tech, the hardest part of preparing a talk isn't the data—it's the perspective. It’s a constant battle to distinguish between what is "common sense" and what is specialized knowledge that can actually protect people.

My goal for every presentation is simple: The audience must leave with a takeaway they didn't have when they walked in. To achieve that, I chose to strip away the heavy technical jargon. I wanted to start with the relatable—the information that hits home before the "scary" stuff kicks in.

The Reality Check

I opened with an interactive session, and honestly? The results were a wake-up call. Even with older, less sophisticated artificial images, the majority of the audience was fooled. It served as a stark reminder:

• Sophistication is rising: Attack vectors and manipulation scenarios are becoming incredibly "human."
• Media literacy is non-negotiable: It is no longer a soft skill; it’s a survival skill for the digital age.

A Reason for Hope

Despite the "scary" potential of these tools, I don't see a dead end. I see a massive opportunity. For every sophisticated piece of manipulated content, there are brilliant teams working tirelessly to build the shields—tools and solutions that help us filter the noise.

By talking about this openly, we do more than just educate; we shine a light on the need to fund and support the people building the future of digital trust. We can combat the flood of artificial content and get back to what matters: connections that matter.

‍

If you are interested in the slides, which are currently only available in german you can find them here. I talk more detailed about it in a post on krekeny.com.