Multimodales System zur Abwehr von Desinformation für Schüler:innen
(A Multimodal System for Combating Disinformation in Schools)
The MARSS research project (Multimodal System for Combating Disinformation through the Reflection of Socio-Emotional Processes for Students) started on 1 April 2026 and investigates how AI-based technologies can help students identify, critically reflect on, and combat disinformation and emotional manipulation in digital media. The project is coordinated by the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) under the leadership of Dr. habil. Dimitra Tsovaltzi and carried out in cooperation with Bonn-Rhine-Sieg University of Applied Sciences and Heidelberg University of Education.
MARSS develops a digital learning and assistance system that analyses multimodal media content and provides understandable feedback on potential misinformation and manipulative communication strategies. The system will be integrated into a school-based learning platform and complemented by practical teaching materials. Its objective is to help young people critically evaluate digital information and strengthen their media literacy.
A particular focus of the project is on socio-emotional manipulation mechanisms that are increasingly used on social media to influence attention, emotions, and opinions. MARSS combines multimodal AI technologies with explainable artificial intelligence, educational concepts, and ethical design principles. This combination creates the foundation for innovative educational approaches that promote media literacy, democratic resilience, and the responsible use of digital information.
Official Page: https://www.forschung-it-sicherheit-kommunikationssysteme.de/projekte/marss