Hannes Cools
@hannescools.bsky.social
Assistant Professor, University of Amsterdam 🇳🇱 || Journalism, AI, Tech & innovation 👨💻 || Fellow Digital Democracy Centre 🇩🇰 & Marie Curie Scholar 🇪🇺 || #FirstGen
🌐 https://hannescools.com/
🌐 https://hannescools.com/
"De uitspraak over 'een leugenaar' was door 2 van de 14 bronnen gehoord (...). Sommigen hadden zelfs helemaal niets gehoord van wat er op het podium was gezegd." Ombudsman NRC noemt berichtgeving gerechtvaardigd maar als je zulke aantijgingen hebt...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Opinie | Verslaggeving van NRC over Wijers was gerechtvaardigd maar er ging te veel fout
Een stortvloed aan mails en veel opzeggingen: NRC had informateur Hans Wijers ten onrechte gevloerd met „bedroevende journalistiek”, of erger met „riooljournalistiek zonder weerga”. De redactie kwam v...
www.nrc.nl
November 22, 2025 at 12:12 PM
"De uitspraak over 'een leugenaar' was door 2 van de 14 bronnen gehoord (...). Sommigen hadden zelfs helemaal niets gehoord van wat er op het podium was gezegd." Ombudsman NRC noemt berichtgeving gerechtvaardigd maar als je zulke aantijgingen hebt...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
🟥 OPEN LETTER by media organizations in NL 🟥
Tech giants threaten democracy in the Netherlands.
Clear & urgent letter on digital autonomy & alternative infrastructures. It also the first time that almost all major Dutch news organizations have jointly made such an appeal to politicians. 🙏
Tech giants threaten democracy in the Netherlands.
Clear & urgent letter on digital autonomy & alternative infrastructures. It also the first time that almost all major Dutch news organizations have jointly made such an appeal to politicians. 🙏
November 20, 2025 at 8:22 AM
🟥 OPEN LETTER by media organizations in NL 🟥
Tech giants threaten democracy in the Netherlands.
Clear & urgent letter on digital autonomy & alternative infrastructures. It also the first time that almost all major Dutch news organizations have jointly made such an appeal to politicians. 🙏
Tech giants threaten democracy in the Netherlands.
Clear & urgent letter on digital autonomy & alternative infrastructures. It also the first time that almost all major Dutch news organizations have jointly made such an appeal to politicians. 🙏
Een krachtige, urgente, & eensgezinde boodschap van de Nederlandse mediasector 👇🙏
sdm.nl/brief-aan-de...
sdm.nl/brief-aan-de...
Brief aan de informateur namens de Nederlandse mediasector - Stichting Democratie en Media
sdm.nl
November 20, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Een krachtige, urgente, & eensgezinde boodschap van de Nederlandse mediasector 👇🙏
sdm.nl/brief-aan-de...
sdm.nl/brief-aan-de...
New book chapter 📚
On the evolving role of journalists as gatekeepers in the age of (generative) A.I.
Thanks to the editors, Aynur Sarısakaloğlu & Martin Löffelholz 🙏
www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Ha...
On the evolving role of journalists as gatekeepers in the age of (generative) A.I.
Thanks to the editors, Aynur Sarısakaloğlu & Martin Löffelholz 🙏
www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Ha...
November 17, 2025 at 8:03 AM
New book chapter 📚
On the evolving role of journalists as gatekeepers in the age of (generative) A.I.
Thanks to the editors, Aynur Sarısakaloğlu & Martin Löffelholz 🙏
www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Ha...
On the evolving role of journalists as gatekeepers in the age of (generative) A.I.
Thanks to the editors, Aynur Sarısakaloğlu & Martin Löffelholz 🙏
www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Ha...
"If you want, I can also make a snappier 'front-page style' version" 🫠🫠
November 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"If you want, I can also make a snappier 'front-page style' version" 🫠🫠
Disappointed but not surprised...
www.demorgen.be/nieuws/pano-...
www.demorgen.be/nieuws/pano-...
‘Pano’ toont hoe professoren aan VUB en UGent ondanks tuchtprocedures jarenlang aan de slag bleven: ‘Schoolvoorbeeld van toxisch leiderschap’
Pakken Vlaamse universiteiten grensoverschrijdend gedrag daadkrachtig genoeg aan? Drie jaar nadat het thema bovenaan de agenda kwam, onderzoekt VRT-magazine Pano of er iets veranderde. ‘Moet hij ieman...
www.demorgen.be
November 13, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Disappointed but not surprised...
www.demorgen.be/nieuws/pano-...
www.demorgen.be/nieuws/pano-...
"Cools, Henk"
Nice to find some made-up references in a paper citing my work 🫠🫠
Nice to find some made-up references in a paper citing my work 🫠🫠
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
"Cools, Henk"
Nice to find some made-up references in a paper citing my work 🫠🫠
Nice to find some made-up references in a paper citing my work 🫠🫠
Pressure had been building for days...
"BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resign following criticism that a BBC Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump."
Live coverage: www.bbc.com/news/live/cd...
"BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resign following criticism that a BBC Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump."
Live coverage: www.bbc.com/news/live/cd...
November 9, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Pressure had been building for days...
"BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resign following criticism that a BBC Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump."
Live coverage: www.bbc.com/news/live/cd...
"BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resign following criticism that a BBC Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump."
Live coverage: www.bbc.com/news/live/cd...
✨ Audiences doubt the benefits of AI-generated imagery in news are worth the risks, new study finds.
@andrewdeck.bsky.social wrote an article on our latest study in @digitaljournalism.bsky.social 🙏
w Dina Strikovic
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/audi... @aimediademlab.bsky.social @ddc-sdu.bsky.social
@andrewdeck.bsky.social wrote an article on our latest study in @digitaljournalism.bsky.social 🙏
w Dina Strikovic
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/audi... @aimediademlab.bsky.social @ddc-sdu.bsky.social
Audiences doubt the benefits of AI-generated imagery in news are worth the risks, new study finds
What do readers really think of AI-generated images in their news? There has been substantial research on how audiences respond to AI-generated text, but far less dedicated research on image generator...
www.niemanlab.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM
✨ Audiences doubt the benefits of AI-generated imagery in news are worth the risks, new study finds.
@andrewdeck.bsky.social wrote an article on our latest study in @digitaljournalism.bsky.social 🙏
w Dina Strikovic
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/audi... @aimediademlab.bsky.social @ddc-sdu.bsky.social
@andrewdeck.bsky.social wrote an article on our latest study in @digitaljournalism.bsky.social 🙏
w Dina Strikovic
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/audi... @aimediademlab.bsky.social @ddc-sdu.bsky.social
Wait, what?
"Neighbors complained about noise, security guards, and hordes of traffic. An unlicensed school named after the Zuckerbergs’ pet chicken tipped them over the edge."
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
"Neighbors complained about noise, security guards, and hordes of traffic. An unlicensed school named after the Zuckerbergs’ pet chicken tipped them over the edge."
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
Mark Zuckerberg Opened an Illegal School at His Palo Alto Compound. His Neighbors Revolted
Neighbors complained about noise, security guards, and hordes of traffic. An unlicensed school named after the Zuckerbergs’ pet chicken tipped them over the edge.
www.wired.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Wait, what?
"Neighbors complained about noise, security guards, and hordes of traffic. An unlicensed school named after the Zuckerbergs’ pet chicken tipped them over the edge."
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
"Neighbors complained about noise, security guards, and hordes of traffic. An unlicensed school named after the Zuckerbergs’ pet chicken tipped them over the edge."
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
Yesterday, the European Commission launched some pointers on marking & labelling AI-generated content.🏷️
Downside: It will be a voluntary instrument to help providers of generative AI systems effectively meet their transparency obligations @ec.europa.eu
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/comm...
Downside: It will be a voluntary instrument to help providers of generative AI systems effectively meet their transparency obligations @ec.europa.eu
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/comm...
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Yesterday, the European Commission launched some pointers on marking & labelling AI-generated content.🏷️
Downside: It will be a voluntary instrument to help providers of generative AI systems effectively meet their transparency obligations @ec.europa.eu
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/comm...
Downside: It will be a voluntary instrument to help providers of generative AI systems effectively meet their transparency obligations @ec.europa.eu
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/comm...
Interesting 🧐
BBC just released their updated AI transparency labels. They have devised a simple, neutral shape (a hexagon) which is derived from the BBC blocks.
The particular disclosure label is being trialled in BBC Sport live 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
BBC just released their updated AI transparency labels. They have devised a simple, neutral shape (a hexagon) which is derived from the BBC blocks.
The particular disclosure label is being trialled in BBC Sport live 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Interesting 🧐
BBC just released their updated AI transparency labels. They have devised a simple, neutral shape (a hexagon) which is derived from the BBC blocks.
The particular disclosure label is being trialled in BBC Sport live 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
BBC just released their updated AI transparency labels. They have devised a simple, neutral shape (a hexagon) which is derived from the BBC blocks.
The particular disclosure label is being trialled in BBC Sport live 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Ontluisterend stuk over oa hoofd communicatie GL-PVDA. Of over misverstanden tss VL & NL:🆘
"Achteraf bleken Vlamingen met ‘voorlichter’ iets heel anders te bedoelen dan NLers. Waar de fusiepartij een strateeg dacht binnen te halen, kregen ze een debattrainer met ambities"
www.vn.nl/missie-timme...
"Achteraf bleken Vlamingen met ‘voorlichter’ iets heel anders te bedoelen dan NLers. Waar de fusiepartij een strateeg dacht binnen te halen, kregen ze een debattrainer met ambities"
www.vn.nl/missie-timme...
Missie-Timmermans was gedoemd te mislukken
GroenLinks-PvdA verliest vijf zetels. Hoe heeft het zover kunnen komen? En lost het vertrek van Timmermans het probleem op?
www.vn.nl
November 2, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Ontluisterend stuk over oa hoofd communicatie GL-PVDA. Of over misverstanden tss VL & NL:🆘
"Achteraf bleken Vlamingen met ‘voorlichter’ iets heel anders te bedoelen dan NLers. Waar de fusiepartij een strateeg dacht binnen te halen, kregen ze een debattrainer met ambities"
www.vn.nl/missie-timme...
"Achteraf bleken Vlamingen met ‘voorlichter’ iets heel anders te bedoelen dan NLers. Waar de fusiepartij een strateeg dacht binnen te halen, kregen ze een debattrainer met ambities"
www.vn.nl/missie-timme...
Hoe AI verkiezingscampagnes verandert: "Mensen horen te weten dat wat ze zien niet echt is"
Wat inzichten vr @demorgen.be, over recent onderzoek bij @ascor.bsky.social over AI beelden/teksten
@claesdevreese.bsky.social @lcjacobs89.bsky.social
@bramjaques.bsky.social www.demorgen.be/politiek/hoe...
Wat inzichten vr @demorgen.be, over recent onderzoek bij @ascor.bsky.social over AI beelden/teksten
@claesdevreese.bsky.social @lcjacobs89.bsky.social
@bramjaques.bsky.social www.demorgen.be/politiek/hoe...
Hoe AI verkiezingscampagnes verandert: ‘Mensen horen te weten dat wat ze zien niet echt is’
Ook in de politiek is AI doorgebroken, blijkt uit honderden deepfakes tijdens de Nederlandse en Ierse verkiezingen. Staat ons dat straks ook te wachten? ‘Politici kunnen een realiteit creëren die er n...
www.demorgen.be
November 1, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Hoe AI verkiezingscampagnes verandert: "Mensen horen te weten dat wat ze zien niet echt is"
Wat inzichten vr @demorgen.be, over recent onderzoek bij @ascor.bsky.social over AI beelden/teksten
@claesdevreese.bsky.social @lcjacobs89.bsky.social
@bramjaques.bsky.social www.demorgen.be/politiek/hoe...
Wat inzichten vr @demorgen.be, over recent onderzoek bij @ascor.bsky.social over AI beelden/teksten
@claesdevreese.bsky.social @lcjacobs89.bsky.social
@bramjaques.bsky.social www.demorgen.be/politiek/hoe...
"The week that AI hit Europe’s elections"
With insights from @claesdevreese.bsky.social, @favstats.eu & yours truly!
Thanks to @pieterhaeck.bsky.social & @evahartog.bsky.social.
With insights from @claesdevreese.bsky.social, @favstats.eu & yours truly!
Thanks to @pieterhaeck.bsky.social & @evahartog.bsky.social.
This was the week that AI hit two European electoral campaigns in a major way and exposed significant gaps in ongoing efforts to curb undue influence on voters.
The week that AI deepfakes hit Europe’s elections
Dutch and Irish elections show voters now have to worry if the political content they consume is real.
www.politico.eu
October 31, 2025 at 2:16 PM
"The week that AI hit Europe’s elections"
With insights from @claesdevreese.bsky.social, @favstats.eu & yours truly!
Thanks to @pieterhaeck.bsky.social & @evahartog.bsky.social.
With insights from @claesdevreese.bsky.social, @favstats.eu & yours truly!
Thanks to @pieterhaeck.bsky.social & @evahartog.bsky.social.
Reposted by Hannes Cools
From far-right AI imagery to AI chatbots offering vote advice.
Weighing in in @politico.eu on the role of AI in the Dutch elections with great colleagues @favstats.eu and @hannescools.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/elec...
Weighing in in @politico.eu on the role of AI in the Dutch elections with great colleagues @favstats.eu and @hannescools.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/elec...
The week that AI deepfakes hit Europe’s elections
Dutch and Irish elections show voters now have to worry if the political content they consume is real.
www.politico.eu
October 31, 2025 at 6:50 AM
From far-right AI imagery to AI chatbots offering vote advice.
Weighing in in @politico.eu on the role of AI in the Dutch elections with great colleagues @favstats.eu and @hannescools.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/elec...
Weighing in in @politico.eu on the role of AI in the Dutch elections with great colleagues @favstats.eu and @hannescools.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/elec...
Watching Dutch elections results right now 🏇🏇
horses are racing on a track with the words real close above them
ALT: horses are racing on a track with the words real close above them
media.tenor.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Watching Dutch elections results right now 🏇🏇
Frontpages of some of the main newspapers in NL, the day after 🇳🇱
Narrative is mainly: 𝗔 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝟲𝟲! This morning, we see that this narrative is already shifting, as 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀...
Narrative is mainly: 𝗔 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝟲𝟲! This morning, we see that this narrative is already shifting, as 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀...
October 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Frontpages of some of the main newspapers in NL, the day after 🇳🇱
Narrative is mainly: 𝗔 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝟲𝟲! This morning, we see that this narrative is already shifting, as 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀...
Narrative is mainly: 𝗔 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝟲𝟲! This morning, we see that this narrative is already shifting, as 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀...
Difference between parties D66 & PVV in Dutch elections 🫣🇳🇱Seems only 2.378 votes, with 98% of the votes counted.
October 30, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Difference between parties D66 & PVV in Dutch elections 🫣🇳🇱Seems only 2.378 votes, with 98% of the votes counted.
Care to know more about ongoing research projects at @ddc-sdu.bsky.social? Find out in the thread below, including one of my projects, the Marie Curie Scholarship 🇪🇺👇
Excited to share a wave of new projects either launching or joined by the Digital Democracy Centre here at SDU!
They span AI, platforms, public service media, & civic participation.
Visit our website & see thread below for more info:
www.sdu.dk/en/forskning...
They span AI, platforms, public service media, & civic participation.
Visit our website & see thread below for more info:
www.sdu.dk/en/forskning...
Research Projects
Research Projects
www.sdu.dk
October 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Care to know more about ongoing research projects at @ddc-sdu.bsky.social? Find out in the thread below, including one of my projects, the Marie Curie Scholarship 🇪🇺👇
Reposted by Hannes Cools
ONLINE FIRST! Edina Strikovic & @hannescools.bsky.social find that audiences express deep concern over AI-generated news images. Media users fear misinformation and erosion of shared reality, highlighting the need for transparency and ethical newsroom policies.
➡️ www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
➡️ www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
October 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
ONLINE FIRST! Edina Strikovic & @hannescools.bsky.social find that audiences express deep concern over AI-generated news images. Media users fear misinformation and erosion of shared reality, highlighting the need for transparency and ethical newsroom policies.
➡️ www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
➡️ www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🟥 D-Day voor de democratie vandaag. Maar ook voor onderwijs en onderzoek! Onderstaand overzicht geeft een idee op basis van NL verkiezingsprogramma's. Geen verdere bezuinigingen!
via @remcobreuker.bsky.social
via @remcobreuker.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 6:50 AM
🟥 D-Day voor de democratie vandaag. Maar ook voor onderwijs en onderzoek! Onderstaand overzicht geeft een idee op basis van NL verkiezingsprogramma's. Geen verdere bezuinigingen!
via @remcobreuker.bsky.social
via @remcobreuker.bsky.social
✨ New publication: 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬' 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐬. 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭.
Especially relevant after yesterday's news of AI-generated images in political campaigns 👇
Together with Dina Strikovic (@ascor.bsky.social, @aimediademlab.bsky.social) 🧵
Especially relevant after yesterday's news of AI-generated images in political campaigns 👇
Together with Dina Strikovic (@ascor.bsky.social, @aimediademlab.bsky.social) 🧵
October 28, 2025 at 8:10 AM
✨ New publication: 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬' 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐬. 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭.
Especially relevant after yesterday's news of AI-generated images in political campaigns 👇
Together with Dina Strikovic (@ascor.bsky.social, @aimediademlab.bsky.social) 🧵
Especially relevant after yesterday's news of AI-generated images in political campaigns 👇
Together with Dina Strikovic (@ascor.bsky.social, @aimediademlab.bsky.social) 🧵
Interesting 🧐. This visual tells us more about the scale of AI-slop of political content (even surpassing Geert Wilders in total engagement). 👇
The Facebook page behind these images was the most active spreader of political AI content, posting multiple times a day and becoming the most engaged-with pages on Facebook among all those we track. Even surpassing Geert Wilders in total engagement during October. The page has now been deleted.
October 27, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Interesting 🧐. This visual tells us more about the scale of AI-slop of political content (even surpassing Geert Wilders in total engagement). 👇