Silesian University of Technology participated in the meeting of experts of the Weimar Regional Triangle
On October the 13th at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów a meeting of experts of the Weimar Regional Triangle took place. The event was devoted to the security of public institutions, disinformation, and cybersecurity. Scientists from the Silesian University of Technology took part in it. Representatives of Germany, France, and Ukraine during their visit to the region also visited the ATO POLSL Academic Aviation Training Centre.
The Weimar Regional Triangle is a three-party agreement between the Silesian Voivodeship, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany and the Hauts-de-France region in France. This year it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Its aim is to strengthen civil society, socio-economic development, and cooperation between the three regions.
The conference, which took place at the Silesian Stadium Conference Centre, allowed to combine the practical experience of Ukrainian scientists with the scientific potential of Polish and European centres. The event brought together experts from Poland, France, Germany, and partners from Ukraine, including four scientists from the Silesian University of Technology. Among the topics discussed were disinformation, cybersecurity in the era of artificial intelligence and the role of science in ensuring social security.
- It is worth meeting even in such a small group. We need to exchange experiences, especially because it may turn out that we are carrying out research focused on developing the same technology, without knowing that in a friendly country such research is already being carried out. We can then waste time trying to open the already open door, looking for a solution that has already been found – explains Dr Eng. Sebastian Sławski from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. - In the case of security-focused research, this is particularly important because we want to develop the most effective protection solutions in the shortest possible time, especially since, given the experience of Ukraine, armour systems and combat systems evolve from month to month.
The issues raised in the discussion panels also concerned disinformation, cyber resilience, the use of modern materials in materials engineering, the use of nuclear physics in the service of the European radiological safety control, as well as education of young people and adequate protection of public institutions based on experience, among others from Ukraine.
- This is a great event because we could talk about topics that, as scientists, sometimes we don’t have anyone to reach. I had the opportunity to take part in a panel on nuclear safety and listen to the others. Participants from different countries had very similar opinions, which is certainly a positive thing. Should this be followed by specific actions, it will be easier to do it - says Dr Hab. Eng. Konrad Tudyka, Prof. SUT from the Institute of Physics – Centre for Science and Education at the Silesian University of Technology.
The meeting of experts of the Weimar Triangle was held under the slogan “Security of public institutions in the international context.”
- One of the most important conclusions is that disinformation is no longer just a communication problem, but is becoming a real threat to Europe's social, economic and energy security. In conditions of geopolitical tensions and energy transformation, false information on energy prices, the stability of power grids or energy independence can affect social trust and economic and political decisions - summarised Dr Hab Serhiy Lyeonov, Prof SUT from the Faculty of Organization and Management. - Artificial intelligence plays a special role today, which on the one hand can be an effective tool for detecting and combating disinformation, and which on the other hand- unfortunately - significantly facilitates its creation and mass dissemination. Technological solutions alone are not enough. I believe that one of the most important mechanisms to counter disinformation should be to strengthen the importance of reputation and accountability – both for journalists and the media, as well as for politicians and public institutions. Credibility must become a value that is difficult to build but easily lost through the deliberate dissemination of false information. Equally important is the inevitability of the consequences of such actions – political, and in the case of violation of the law also criminal. It is the real responsibility for the conscious manipulation of information that can effectively limit the scale of disinformation, while respecting freedom of speech.
The scientist of the Silesian University of Technology emphasized that the discussion showed the importance of international cooperation.
- Poland, Germany and France, despite their different experiences and economic models, face similar threats. Cooperation within the Weimar Regional Triangle should therefore include technology development, social education, exchange of experience and strengthening trust in reliable sources of information. In my opinion, the key message is Europe’s resilience to disinformation depends not only on technology development, but above all on trust, reliability and real responsibility for the information disseminated - adds Prof. Lyeonov.
The panel devoted to cybersecurity in the era of artificial intelligence was attended by Dr Eng. Adrian Kapczyński from the Faculty of Applied Mathematics.
- After this discussion, three main conclusions come to mind. First of all, we think alike. We see the global nature of the threats that can arise in Country X and materialize in Country Y. In addition, we see the need to talk across divisions and exchange information about threats and solutions. The key is that we enable the implementation of solutions emerging in one country also in other countries. In addition, all the interlocutors also noticed the growing role of artificial intelligence - explains Dr Eng. Adrian Kapczyński.
On October 14th , the guests visited the ATO POLSL Academic Aviation Training Centre. They were welcomed by the Director of the Centre for Defence and Dual-use Technologies Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
- Today we presented the research potential of the Silesian University of Technology and of the Centre for Defence and Dual-use Technologies TOPAZ. Our guests also had the opportunity to visit the Civil Aviation Personnel Training Centre of Central and Eastern Europe and to see the presentation of scientific circles that presented their achievements in the field of design and implementation of missions using UAV and UGV – says Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
In addition, the head of the Academic Aviation Training Centre of the Silesian University of Technology, Dr Hab. Eng. Pil. Jarosław Kozuba, Prof. SUT talked about aviation education at our University. The participants also had the opportunity to listen to the lecture of Dr Hab. Eng. Tomasz Jarosz, Prof. SUT from the Faculty of Chemistry “Self-production of CBRNE’s means of destruction – a review of threats.”
