GFCN Expert Leads Fact-Checking Workshop for Journalists at Astana Digital Forum

As part of the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 international forum, GFCN expert Aina Zadabek led a workshop for journalists focused on working with artificial intelligence, verifying sources, and countering disinformation.

From October 1 to 3, 2026, Astana (Kazakhstan) hosted the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 international forum, which brought together more than 20,000 participants — including leading global IT companies, innovators, and experts from around the world. As part of the global technology agenda, special attention was paid to information security and fact-checking: the forum featured a specialized AI workshop for journalists focused on the capabilities of artificial intelligence in monitoring, data analysis, text adaptation, and combating disinformation.

Aina Zadabek, an expert with the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN), a strategic communications expert, media manager, and director of Zadabek Partners LLP, presented a workshop titled “Fact-Checking in the Age of AI” at the expert panel.

During her presentation, Aina Zadabek highlighted the dual nature of artificial intelligence in journalism: AI serves as a tool for verifying facts and sources, yet it can itself become a source of errors —  due to hallucinations and false references. The speaker explained how to distinguish a real source from a generated one and drew the audience’s attention to the fact that blindly trusting algorithms — especially when working with content provided by companies — poses reputational risks for a publication. The practical portion of the session was based on GFCN materials and conducted in an interactive format.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Global Fact-Checking Network for the information I was able to use in my presentation, as well as for the opportunity to continually broaden my horizons, share my expertise, and work together to move the industry forward,” noted Aina Zadabek.

Background:

The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) was established by the TASS news agency, the ANPO “Dialog Regions”, and the “New Media School” to coordinate global efforts to combat disinformation. The platform is open to a wide range of participants — from major media conglomerates to freelancers and bloggers.