07 March 2025
DRUMS 2024: Information Manipulation and Interference in the Global Political Environment of Uncertainty
Executive Summary
The Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) had its annual Disinformation, Rumours, Untruths, Misinformation and Smears (DRUMS) conference on 19-20 November 2024. The conference theme was “Information Manipulation and Interference in the Global Political Environment of Uncertainty”.
Over two days, 180 participants from government agencies, academia, diplomatic corps, and non-governmental organisations learned from and engaged with 15 international and local speakers.
The keynote speech set the tone for the conference by exploring how the three converging areas of increasing systemic competition, rapid technological change and globalism will impact online information environments.
Panel 1 speakers spoke on information manipulation and interference. They touched on the exploitation of international conflict narratives by domestic influence actors in Europe and Southeast Asia. Panel 2 speakers spotlighted global cases of election interference and drew attention to the risks of disinformation narratives and generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in elections.
Speakers for Panel 3 elucidated the risks, uncertainties and the future of emerging technologies, including Gen AI. Speakers highlighted the importance of incorporating local/cultural nuances when exploring how experts can leverage Gen AI to combat disinformation and develop related technologies. Panel 4 speakers surfaced valuable insights from case studies in Malaysia, the United States and Vietnam. They stressed how preparedness, increased public awareness, and regulatory measures can play a part in safeguarding the online information space.
The 2024 edition of DRUMS received positive feedback on various aspects, including the design and organisation of panels, selection of speakers and topics, operation, and administrative matters.
The report summarises key points from the speakers’ presentations. Key takeaways from the Q&A sessions are available at the end of each panel.
Executive Summary
The Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) had its annual Disinformation, Rumours, Untruths, Misinformation and Smears (DRUMS) conference on 19-20 November 2024. The conference theme was “Information Manipulation and Interference in the Global Political Environment of Uncertainty”.
Over two days, 180 participants from government agencies, academia, diplomatic corps, and non-governmental organisations learned from and engaged with 15 international and local speakers.
The keynote speech set the tone for the conference by exploring how the three converging areas of increasing systemic competition, rapid technological change and globalism will impact online information environments.
Panel 1 speakers spoke on information manipulation and interference. They touched on the exploitation of international conflict narratives by domestic influence actors in Europe and Southeast Asia. Panel 2 speakers spotlighted global cases of election interference and drew attention to the risks of disinformation narratives and generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in elections.
Speakers for Panel 3 elucidated the risks, uncertainties and the future of emerging technologies, including Gen AI. Speakers highlighted the importance of incorporating local/cultural nuances when exploring how experts can leverage Gen AI to combat disinformation and develop related technologies. Panel 4 speakers surfaced valuable insights from case studies in Malaysia, the United States and Vietnam. They stressed how preparedness, increased public awareness, and regulatory measures can play a part in safeguarding the online information space.
The 2024 edition of DRUMS received positive feedback on various aspects, including the design and organisation of panels, selection of speakers and topics, operation, and administrative matters.
The report summarises key points from the speakers’ presentations. Key takeaways from the Q&A sessions are available at the end of each panel.
