DAAD East-West Dialogue

AI-driven disinformation has rapidly emerged as a critical societal and regulatory challenge, threatening democratic discourse, information integrity, and trust in digital ecosystems. To address these complexities, the 'Disinformation and AI Law' (DAIL) project – funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) by means of the German Federal Foreign Office – combines legal and technical expertise through a strategic partnership between the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) and the State University of Trade and Economics. Led by Prof. Dr. Ralf Roßkopf, DAIL combines legal and technical expertise to foster professional expertise among researchers and students while providing actionable insights for policymakers.

Legally, the following project-leading topics are being addressed in relation to combating disinformation:

1. Service provider regulation under the EU Digital Services Act and Ukrainian law
2. Risk classification and resulting obligations under the EU AI Act and Ukrainian law
3. Transparency and explainability under the EU AI Act and Ukrainian law

Technically, a possible approach for an AI model and three typical AI tools for combating disinformation will be outlined in such a way that, on this basis, legal framework requirements that are as transferable as possible can be developed. The subjects under consideration are: 

1. A multi-modal, transparent, user-centred and responsively explainable open-source AI model for detecting and classifying disinformation.
2. A browser plugin that enables users to automatically detect and flag disinformation on displayed web pages.
3. A plugin for WordPress to enable website and platform operators to integrate automatic verification mechanisms for third-party posts and comments.
4. A gamification approach for an interactive, browser-based game that encourages participation in political discussions while training users to recognise and avoid misinformation. The game would reward users for engaging in reasonable, fact-based dialogue.

 
These results will be achieved through the following measures/activities: 

People involved in the expert workshop

Host and Director of the THWS Center for Artificial Intelligence

Ivan Yamchshikov is a professor for generative AI and natural language processing at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), Germany. He is member and the director of THWS’ Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAIRO). His research interests include natural language generation, computational creativity, applied data analysis, and natural language processing applications to various industrial and social questions. He hosts a science&technology podcast and a YouTube channel. His research is currently focused on new approaches to creative AI and possible connections between creativity, language and cognition. Ivan was previously Associate Professor and Head of the LEYA Lab for Natural Language Processing at Higher School of  Economics. St. Petersburg, Russia. He is also Visiting Associate Professor and member of CEMAPRE scientific center at ISEG, University of Lisbon. 

Moderator & Legal WS 3: Transparency and explainability under the EU AI Act and Ukrainian law”

Ralf Roßkopf is a professor for law and a research professor for law and artificial intelligence at the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS). He is a member of the Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAIRO) and of the Institute for Applied Social Science (IFAS) at THWS. He held administrative positions as Vice President and Dean at both the THWS and the German Jordanian University (GJU), Amman, Jordan, where he is currently deployed as Vice President for the second time. He studied law at and was granted his doctoral degree from the Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg and conducted complementary studies in public administration at the German University for Public Administration Speyer. Prior to joining THWS in 2010, he had been practicing as an attorney-for-law for seven years after serving as a researcher for the Association for the Study of the World Refugee Problem.

Technical WS: AI Foundations for Generating Disinformation and Combating Disinformation

Olena Andriienko is a distinguished legal scholar and strategic leader at the intersection of technology, ethics, and law. She serves as a Leading Researcher at the Scientific Laboratory of AI Problems and Law within the Institute of Information, Security, and Law of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine. She contributes to high-level academic discourse and policy-making regarding the digital evolution of the legal landscape. Olena is also the Head of the Ethical and Legal Department for the project dedicated to developing the Ukrainian Large Language Model (LLM). Her work ensures that the growth of domestic generative AI aligns with rigorous ethical standards and international legal frameworks. Beyond her academic and developmental roles, she brings extensive corporate expertise to the table as the Chief Legal & Talent Officer (CLTO) at Publicis Groupe Ukraine, where she oversees the synergy between legal compliance and human capital for one of the world's leading communications groups. 

Technical WS: AI Foundations for Generating Disinformation and Combating Disinformation

Patrick Aichroth has led the Media Distribution and Security research group at Fraunhofer IDMT since 2006, which focuses on the development of technologies for audio forensics and media security, technical data protection, and trustworthy AI. He has secured and coordinated numerous R&D projects for Fraunhofer IDMT, including several projects on audio manipulation detection and media authentication. 

Legal WS 1: Combating disinformation through service provider regulation under the EU Digital Services Act and Ukrainian law

Iryna Stroyko is a member of the Council of the Committee for IT, media and personal data protection of the Ukrainian Bar Association. She holds a Ph.D. in the sphere of the intellectual property rights covering challenging issues of the civil legal protection and enforcement of the related rights of broadcasters. Iryna is an active member of the Public Councils at the National Council of Ukraine for TV and Radio Broadcasting and Ukrainian State Film Agency. Iryna is an attorney-at-law with over 20 years of practice in the areas of media, audiovisual content production and distribution, IT and telecommunications. She is a co-author of the “Guidelines on the responsible use of AI: issues in intellectual property rights”, “Guidelines on the responsible use of AI in the sphere of advertising and marketing communications”, “Guidelines on the responsible development of systems using AI technologies” and “Guidelines on the responsible use of AI by lawyers” prepared by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine in cooperation with other stakeholders.

Legal WS 2: Risk classification and resulting obligations under the EU's AI Act and Ukrainian law

Prof. Dr. Dr. Eric Hilgendorf is Chair of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Legal Theory, Information Law and Legal Informatics at the University of Würzburg since summer semester 2001. He has been a member of the Global Faculty of Peking University Law School since summer 2018. Professor of criminal law and related subjects in Constance since summer term 1997. From winter semester 1998/99 Vice Dean and Dean of Studies, from winter semester 1999/2000 Dean in Constance. Before that he was a professor of criminal law and related subjects in Constance since summer term 1997. He holds a doctorate in philosophy with a thesis on "Argumentation in Jurisprudence", doctorate in law with a study on "Criminal producer liability in the risk society". 1996 saw his Habilitation in criminal law, criminal procedural law and philosophy of law.

Legal WS 2: Risk classification and resulting obligations under the EU's AI Act and Ukrainian law

Roman Shpyrka is a practicing attorney and Managing Partner of Solid Partners Law Firm. Alongside his legal practice, he is a PhD candidate at State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE), Kyiv, Ukraine - focusing on civil liability issues in the field of artificial intelligence. He lectures and trains students and lawyers in international law and professional skills development. Previously Roman  was as an Advisor to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine from 2023 to 2025.

Legal WS 2: Risk classification and resulting obligations under the EU's AI Act and Ukrainian law

Tetiana Bohdanevych is the Head of the Secretariat of the World Congress of Ukrainian Lawyers and a Chief Research Fellow at the National School of Judges of Ukraine. In 2019, she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Law. She has more than six years of research experience in the field of artificial intelligence technologies for judges and court staff, particularly focusing on their impact on justice, the efficiency of judicial processes, and the digital transformation of the judiciary.

Legal WS 3: Transparency and explainability under the EU AI Act and Ukrainian law”

Hanna Ilchenko holds a PhD in Law and is a Associate Professor in the Department of International, Civil and Commercial  Law at the State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE), Kyiv, Ukraine. Hanna’s research interests focus on the legal regulation of emerging technologies and the digitalization of civil law relations. She is the Head of the R&D project "Civil Law and Procedure as Factors for Ensuring Sustainable Development of Ukraine." Hanna has completed specialized training at the "AI Academy for Educational Leaders by Google" (2025) and the Legal Innovation School (USAID). Her current work focuses on aligning Ukrainian legislation with the EU law. Co-founder of Finance-Service LLC and Digital Insurance Systems LLC.

Legal WS 3: Transparency and explainability under the EU AI Act and Ukrainian law”

Tamara Kortukova is a specialist in international law, currently serving as Head of the International Relations Office and an Associate Professor in the Department of International Civil and Commercial Law at the State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE), Kyiv, Ukraine. A dedicated educator, she is committed to shaping the next generation of legal scholars and professionals. Beyond her home institution, Tamara’s academic influence extends across Europe, where she has served as a guest lecturer at numerous universities. Her expertise in EU legislation and AI law is further recognized through her leadership in multiple Jean Monnet projects. In the policy sphere, Tamara served as a Member of the Expert Council for the Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Human Rights, influencing national human rights policies. An active voice in the global legal community, she frequently contributes to international conferences and publishes her research in leading legal journals worldwide.

Expert Talk, 22/4/2026 on Fake News Risk Mitigation & 23/4/2026 on Disinformation and Media

FERMI: Fake News Risk Mitigator

Sven-Eric Fikenscher is a Senior Researcher with the Center of Excellence for Police and Security Research (CEPOLIS) at the University of Public Services in Bavaria’s Department of Policing. He was on the coordination team of the Horizon Europe Fake News Risk Mitigator (FERMI) project, which developed tools to investigate violence-inducing pieces of disinformation and assessed the ramifications thereof. Besides FERMI, he has been involved in numerous EU-funded projects on topics such as terrorism, radicalisation, cybercrime, protecting public spaces and CBRN. Currently, amongst other things, her serves as dissemination manager of the RESONANT project. Before joining CEPOLIS, he was a Research Fellow with the German Police University’s research coordination unit and worked for security-focused think tanks. He has a Diploma in Political Science from Goethe University Frankfurt. 

FERMI: Fake News Risk Mitigator

Dr. rer. pol. Heiko Michael Edlinger embodies the rare synthesis of over 27 years in strategic security governance and distinguished academic excellence. Through his extensive career at the intersection of the private sector and public security agencies, he has developed a profound understanding of international security architectures.
As a dedicated criminologist, political scientist, and strategist, he translates complex global threat landscapes into precise case studies and evidence-based solution models. He leverages his deep expertise to penetrate demanding subject matters with methodological rigor.
His scholarly research focuses on the development of holistic risk management systems to strengthen societal resilience against hybrid threats 

CORRECTIV Faktencheck

Caroline joined the public-interest media rganization CORRECTIV to build CORRECTIV.Faktenforum, the first collaborative fact-checking community platform in the German-speaking world. Since 2025, she has been leading the fact-checking unit as Director of Fact-Checking. She represents CORRECTIV in international networks such as EFCSN, IFCN and EDMO, and also oversees media literacy, civic tech and policy activities in the area. Previously, she worked as a journalist for outlets including Handelsblatt Online, journalist, the European Media Observatory and FAZ, and served as a media analyst at NewsGuard. She studied journalism in Dortmund and France, has taught at universities, and was a fellow in the JournalismAI programme at the London School of Economics.
https://de.linkedin.com/in/caro-lindekamp