Artificial intelligence is moving from content generation to relational interaction. AI companions are designed not only to inform, but to accompany, adapt, and sustain emotional continuity over time.
In this webinar, Massimo Flore, Independent Researcher and Strategic Analyst, argues that such systems may signal a structural shift in the future of disinformation. When credibility becomes embedded in a private human–AI relationship, persuasion no longer operates primarily through visible content flows, but through relational trust.
Introducing the concept of epistemic cocoon, the session explores how relational AI infrastructures may challenge existing counter-disinformation approaches and raise new governance dilemmas.
Watch the recording here:
Speaker: Massimo Flore, Independent Researcher and Strategic Analyst. Aurora Fellows.
Massimo Flore is an independent researcher and strategic analyst working on disinformation, belief systems, and democratic resilience. He previously served as a policy officer at the European Commission and held roles with NATO and the United Nations on issues related to information integrity and hybrid threats. His current research examines how AI-driven relational systems reshape credibility, influence, and collective decision-making in contemporary information environments.
Moderator: Raquel Miguel Serrano, Senior Researcher, EU DisinfoLab
Raquel Miguel Serrano is a senior researcher at EU DisinfoLab. She has a background in journalism and spent most of her professional career working for the German press agency DPA until 2019, when she shifted her focus to disinformation. Raquel earned a Master’s degree in Cyber Intelligence and joined EU DisinfoLab. She is the author of multiple articles, mainly focused on mis- and disinformation circulating in Spain and Germany, but also on more comprehensive topics such as the impact risk of online disinformation or pre-bunking as a tool to counter information disorders. Recently, she has been working in other areas, such as FIMI or the challenges posed by generative AI.
The opinions expressed are those of the speakers/authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of EU DisinfoLab. This webinar does not represent an endorsement by EU DisinfoLab of any organisation.