The Dis Mis Information initiative from the Center for Digital Intelligence, known as CENID, centers on making local communications clearer and faster for residents who rely on municipal channels. Led by Estela Saquete, the project strives to cut through misinformation at the neighborhood level, addressing a challenge where falsehoods can spread unchecked and be hard to dispute once they take hold.
The team behind the initiative is deploying practical technologies to curb both deliberate misinformation and inadvertent misinterpretations that can mislead citizens. Fake news often travels rapidly through various platforms, making it difficult for people to receive timely corrections in the same way the original information arrived. Saquete explains that the velocity of misinformation creates a real friction in how communities absorb and respond to public messages.
At its core, the project positions Artificial Intelligence as a central tool for detecting and countering disinformation. It combines natural language processing and intelligent analysis of how information is conveyed to flag potential falsehoods early. The aim is not just to react to misinformation but to anticipate it and provide clear, verifiable answers to residents about what is true and who is involved.
In practical terms, the objective is to ensure someone visiting a municipal office can easily understand the city council’s communications. The information should be comprehensible, with direct answers to common questions about who is involved, what is happening, where it is taking place, why it matters, and when events or decisions are scheduled. The intent is to make city communications transparent and accessible, so residents can form well-informed judgments based on reliable explanations rather than rumors.
It is important to note that the Center for Digital Intelligence collaborates with state and academic partners to establish a benchmark for digital information strategies within the region. The Alicante Council, along with the University of Alicante and Miguel Hernández University, are participating to advance research, dissemination, and implementation of digital enabling technologies. This alliance aims to drive consistent, evidence-based practices in how municipalities convey information and empower citizens through better digital literacy and trusted media practices. The collaboration seeks to become a national reference in how local governments use analytics, language processing, and user-centric design to minimize confusion and misinformation among residents.