The Battle for Consciousness

Additional Details

Who Shapes Our Reality—and How Do We Avoid the Trap?

If you want to understand who is trying to influence what you see, think, and believe, this event is exactly for you!

In an era in which artificial intelligence, social media, and disinformation influence the way we think, feel, and make decisions, how can we know whom to trust?

Three fascinating lectures will reveal the behind-the-scenes workings of the battle for consciousness and provide practical tools for dealing with the information world of the 21st century.

Event Program

10:00–10:45 — Who Is Pulling the Strings?

Influence Operations, Artificial Intelligence, and the Battle for Consciousness

Omer Ben Yaakov

Investigative journalist at Haaretz, specializing in technology, cyber, disinformation, and influence operations.

Behind every viral video, anonymous account, or shocking report, an entire industry may be hiding, whose purpose is to influence public opinion.

Omer Ben Yaakov will reveal how companies that sell disinformation operate, how Iran and other countries conduct influence operations against Israel, and what is expected to change ahead of elections in the age of artificial intelligence.

11:00–11:45 — Why Is It So Easy to Fool Us?

How the Algorithm Shapes Our Thinking

Maya Ilani

Brandeis Institute—researcher specializing in social media, the influence of digital platforms, and social resilience.

Why do extreme contents reach us in particular? How do algorithms influence what we see, think, and share?

In the lecture, we will discover how social media addiction mechanisms work, what harms they create, and above all—which simple tools can help us identify misleading content, consume information more critically, and preserve our personal resilience.

12:00–12:45 — The Truth Behind the Lie

Will You Fall into the Trap Too?

Yarin Kimor

Author, journalist, illusionist, and international lecturer.

A surprising, funny, and thought-provoking finale. Through live demonstrations, illusions, psychological manipulations, and… active audience participation,

Yarin Kimor will demonstrate how easy it is to influence our perception of reality—and provide tools for identifying deception, manipulation, and cognitive biases in everyday life.

The café will be available to the audience throughout the event.