US Paris Tech Challenge

The U.S. State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) and the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab are pleased to invite you to the finale of the U.S.-Paris Tech Challenge on Thursday September 30, 2021, from 10:30 – 11:50 am ET. The U.S.-Paris Tech Challenge aims to advance the development of promising and innovative technologies against disinformation and propaganda across the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom (UK). Eight organizations have been chosen to demo their technology to a panel of judges. Up to three organizations will receive funding totaling $250,000 USD. 

The event will feature keynote speaker Clara Tsao and a panel discussion between the judges of the U.S.-Paris Tech Challenge, who are all distinguished leaders in the counter-disinformation space and have spearheaded initiatives to combat disinformation and information operations. Panelists will discuss current trends in the European information landscape as well as the shared threats and challenges. They will share their insights into how government and civil society can leverage strategic partnerships to best combat the collective threat that disinformation poses to the security and cohesion of democratic societies. 
 
Finally, the Global Engagement Center Acting Coordinator Leah Bray will announce the awardees of the Tech Challenge, and GEC Technology Engagement Director Patricia Watts will briefly interview them, inviting collaboration and partnerships through the Tech Challenge and GEC’s related initiatives. 

Featuring

Clara Tsao

Founding Officer and Director
Filecoin Foundation

Nonresident Senior Fellow
Democracy & Tech Initiative, DFRLab

Leah Bray
Acting Coordinator
Global Engagement Center, U.S. Department of State

Patricia Watts
Technology Engagement Director
Global Engagement Center, U.S. Department of State

Graham Brookie
Director
Digital Forensic Research Lab, Atlantic Council

Finalists

• ExTrac (UK) 
  
• The Global Disinformation Index (UK) 
  
• The Institute for Strategic Dialogue and CASM Technology (UK)  
  
• InVID/WeVerify verification plugin (UK, FR, GR, BG) 
  
• Moonshot (UK)  
  
• Polltix (Lithuania)  
  
• Twincler (Germany) 
  
• Wealize and Maldita (Spain) 

Judges

Collaborating organizations include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the U.K. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, U.S. Embassy Paris, the Office of the Tech Ambassador of Denmark, the Digital Communication Network, and Park Advisors and Disinfo Cloud.