Facing today’s information flow 

In today’s fast-moving digital world, information flows continuously. Every day, people encounter a mix of content from sources whose origins and reliability are not always clear, whether on social media, messaging apps, or mainstream platforms. Disinformation and misinformation can spread at remarkable speed, taking advantage of emotional reactions and cognitive biases. Young users are particularly exposed, as they often lack the tools needed to critically assess the credibility of what they encounter online. 

Many educational initiatives aim to strengthen media literacy skills. However, these programmes are frequently static, not always aligned with current events, and often difficult to adapt or customise. They also tend to underuse verified information produced by trusted news media. 

Strengthening young audiences’ information skills 

Within the DS4Skills project, the global news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) and the EdTech company TRALALERE are joining forces to develop a concrete use case that brings together AFP’s long-standing expertise in fact-checking and TRALALERE’s experience in fostering digital and information literacy. 

By leveraging AI-powered tools, our aim is to help users sharpen their critical thinking skills using trusted sources — including AFP fact-checks — through an interactive, personalised, and multimedia learning experience. This collaboration seeks to make high-quality, verified information more accessible, while empowering young audiences to navigate today’s complex information landscape with greater confidence and autonomy. 

Whether the end user is a teacher, a journalism student or a young person, they will be able to find support to sort through the flood of online information. 

Connecting with the European Media Data Space, TEMS 

This joint use case also provides an opportunity to explore interoperability with another data space: the Trusted European Media Dataspace (TEMS), which is likewise co-funded by the European Commission under the Digital Europe Programme and in which AFP is also involved. This interoperable dimension will be supported by Visions and Startin’blox, two technology companies specialising in data space infrastructure and data exchange frameworks. 

Our collaboration seeks to strengthen links between the European EdTech and news media sectors, which share common priorities such as providing trustworthy knowledge and high-quality educational content. Priorities that are all the more vital at a time when trust in information has become increasingly crucial. By deepening these connections, we also hope to pave the way for new ethical and sustainable revenue models. 

Building on this joint use case, we aim to promote critical thinking, ethical data sharing, and AI-supported personalisation of learning pathways. By combining technological innovation with a pedagogical approach, this initiative offers real added value for students, educators, media organisations, digital and media literacy stakeholders, and public institutions.