Combating Information Manipulation in the Digital Sphere: Amplifying Artificial Intelligence to Counter Disinformation

Disinformation is no longer a marginal concern in the digital age; it is a central force in reshaping public discourse, eroding institutional trust, and threatening democratic resilience. This dissertation examines how artificial intelligence, and specifically explainable AI (XAI), can be designed and deployed to counter the scale, speed, and sophistication of online information manipulation. While digital platforms have enabled unprecedented access to information, they also incentivize emotionally charged, divisive, and often deceptive content. In this environment, disinformation thrives not only because of techno-logical affordances but also due to human cognitive vulnerabilities and platform-level incentives. Adopting a socio-technical perspective grounded in Information Systems (IS), this research addresses three key questions: (1) How can disinformation be systematically conceptualized and classified? (2) How can XAI be designed to enhance transparency and user trust in detection systems? (3) What practical tools and strategies can be implemented to reduce the spread and influence of manipulated content? The dissertation contributes theoretically by proposing a comprehensive taxonomy and annotation framework for disinformation and methodologically through the development and evaluation of XAI detection prototypes. ... mehrIt further explores the forensic requirements for identifying synthetic media such as deepfakes and outlines a model for critical digital literacy that integrates technical, cognitive, and social dimensions. By combining AI innovation with human-centered design and interdisciplinary insight, this work offers both conceptual clarity and practical tools to support democratic resilience. It positions IS research as a vital contributor to the development of transparent, trustworthy, and ethically grounded responses to one of the most urgent challenges of the digital era.