Universitat CEU Abat Oliba explores the relevance of Walter Benjamin in the era of artificial intelligence and disinformation
This March, the Universitat CEU Abat Oliba hosted the session “The Relevance of Walter Benjamin in Times of AI and Disinformation”, organised in collaboration with the Consulate General of Germany in Barcelona and framed within the European project EUonAIR, which focuses on strengthening media literacy and critical thinking across Europe.
During the event, speakers addressed key topics such as media literacy, the importance of developing critical thinking skills, and the need to navigate an information environment increasingly shaped by the spread of disinformation and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on communication.
The discussion featured Vincenzo Mele, Professor of General Sociology at the University of Pisa, whose international academic work has centred on the study of modernity, the metropolis, social imaginaries and aesthetics. He was joined by Swen Seebach, Professor and Vice-Rector of CEU UAO, an expert in AI imaginaries, who offered an analysis of the relevance of Walter Benjamin’s thought in light of today’s informational and technological challenges. The session was moderated by Sasha Molotkova, international journalist and Director of the Master’s in Digital Communication and New Technologies at the University.
Throughout the session, participants reflected on how media and technologies influence perceptions of reality, the circulation of information and the quality of civic engagement in contemporary society.
This initiative, developed within the framework of EUonAIR, reinforces the commitment of Universitat CEU Abat Oliba to promoting critical reflection and creating spaces for dialogue around the major international challenges at the intersection of communication, technology and society.
