Misinformation

Introducing the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE)

The Global Misinformation Crisis

Algorithmic manipulation, bias, hate speech, misinformation, deep fakes, and other acts have created a global information environment crisis and an existential threat to humanity. The cost is billions of dollars, millions of lives, and an erosion of trust in science, our institutions, and each other. The proposals for addressing these problems, from antitrust action and civic education to fake news observatories, are not comprehensive enough to match the global, multi-faceted, and technical nature of this threat. 

We have heard repeatedly from our partners that this information environment crisis is a growing threat to their communities and, as an organization that is responsive to the realities of our partners, it became clear that we needed to do something more. We concluded that the world needed a more expansive and science-based approach, beyond the solutions proposed in the past. With our history of bridging the gap between technology and human rights, we felt well-positioned to take on the challenge.

The International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE)

In 2022, Dr. Sheldon Himelfarb—President & CEO of PeaceTech Lab—along with the Director of Oxford University’s Programme on Democracy and Technology, Dr. Phil Howard, launched the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE). Modeled after and learning from the IPCC’s science-first approach to climate change, this Swiss-based consortium of experts establishes a global scientific effort to provide policymaking, industry, and civil society actors with independent scientific assessments on the global information environment by organizing, evaluating, and elevating research, with the aim of providing recommendations for improving the global information environment.  The IPIE—an independent global organization—is the response of research scientists from around the world and across disciplines to ensure an information environment that promotes human progress and peace.

The IPIE at the Nobel Summit

In May 2023, the IPIE announced itself on the main stage of the 2023 Nobel Prize Summit: “Truth, Trust and Hope” in Washington D.C. Originally proposed during a Solution Session at the Nobel Prize Summit in 2021, the IPIE has benefited greatly from the expertise and support it has received from the Nobel Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences since its inception. 

In addition to announcing the IPIE at the Summit, Dr. Himelfarb  led a thought-provoking panel about the state of misinformation today. Collaboration Amidst Complexity featured Tawakkol Karman (2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate), John Momoh (CEO, Nigeria’s Channels TV), Sanjiv Ahuja (Chairman and Founder, Tillman Global Holdings), and Melissa Fleming (Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations). The panelists discussed how achieving a global information environment that promotes human progress, rather than impeding it, will require collaboration across disciplines, languages and political cultures.

PeaceTech Lab and the IPIE were also proud to facilitate "Regulate, Legislate, ACTIVATE!, a Solution Session that focused on digital natives’ role combatting misinformation. The panel featured a series of next generation leaders: Michael Mort (Head of PBx Digital Lab at J. P. Morgan US Private Bank), Emma Lembke (Founder, Log Off), Bing Chen (Exec Chairman, CEO, & Co-Founder, Gold House), Daanish Alavi (Innovation Co-Lead, Political and PeaceBuilding Affairs, United Nations), and Tamara Nelson (CEO & Co-Founder, Barometer). 

Looking Ahead

With our partners, the Lab led the formation of the IPIE. The IPIE is eager to continue building new strategic partnerships and alliances with others who share the mission of using technology for the public good. If you are interested in supporting the IPIE, joining the consortium as an expert, or learning more about the IPIE, you can visit the website at https://www.ipie.info/.

To read additional press that features the IPIE, visit https://www.ipie.info/news.