At the OSCE annual conference in Helsinki, experts warned that social media algorithms and unregulated AI are increasingly driving the spread of antisemitic content, calling for stronger global regulation and oversight to protect Jewish communities and other minorities from digital hate.
At the recent annual conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) held in Helsinki, significant attention was given to the growing challenge of digital antisemitism fuelled by social media platforms and unregulated artificial intelligence (AI). The OSCE, established during the Cold War under the Helsinki Accords of 1975, remains a prominent forum addressing issues of xenophobia and antisemitism across its member states. The Israeli Democracy Institute highlighted the increasingly urgent role that technology policy plays in combating the spread of hate online.
The conference took place in February 2024, where discussions underscored a concerning trend: social media platforms are not just passive conduits but active amplifiers of antisemitic content due to their algorithmic design and content moderation practices. Algorithms developed to maximise user engagement tend to prioritise sensationalist and extreme viewpoints over balanced and factual information. Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram were cited for promoting antisemitic narratives through their recommendation engines and feeds.
Specifically, the Israeli Democracy Institute noted that such platforms engage in what it termed “feature-based antisemitism,” where the very architecture of these services facilitates the dissemination and amplification of hateful content. For instance, antisemitic posts that reference stereotypes about Jewish control of global finance are often not flagged by content monitoring systems because they are interpreted as statements of power rather than incitement or humiliation, in contrast to racist posts against other groups which are more swiftly removed.
Moreover, the rise in antisemitic content coinciding with recent geopolitical events—such as the spike since October 7—has been linked to intentional manipulation of these algorithms by various actors. This has effectively placed Jewish communities worldwide within a “ring of fire” of disinformation circulating on digital platforms.
In addition to social media, the emergence of artificial intelligence is accelerating the automation of antisemitism. AI systems are now capable of rewriting historical narratives, generating digital images with exaggerated antisemitic features, and producing tailored persuasive content that can obscure or distort facts about the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel. This technological progression marks a shift from overt manifestations of antisemitism, such as public denunciations and physical segregation, to subtle, hidden discrimination enacted through data profiling, genetic analysis, and differential treatment in digital services and pricing.
The implications of these developments were also discussed in the context of regulatory environments. While there were hopes for coordinated efforts between governments and technology companies to address these challenges, concerns have been raised about the current trajectory of regulatory changes in the United States. Despite pledges to combat antisemitism, recent policy shifts include the rollback of existing AI regulations and directives to limit government involvement in content moderation, potentially hampering efforts to control the spread of hate speech and disinformation originating from US-based tech firms.
This regulatory divergence was highlighted by contrasting debates contemporaneously occurring in Paris at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. Washington expressed opposition to what it termed “over-regulation” of AI, warning against potential stifling of innovation. Meanwhile, the European Union continued to advocate for robust oversight through mechanisms like the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act, focusing on algorithmic accountability and data protection. The Israeli Democracy Institute emphasised that the future of combating digital antisemitism lies not in traditional forums but in these policy arenas where the regulation of technology is being shaped.
Recommendations put forward include heightened vigilance regarding technology companies under authoritarian influence, such as TikTok and DeepSeek, whose agendas may conflict with democratic principles. Alongside the rapid advancement of AI capabilities, the Institute called for international agreements to restrict the misuse of AI for manipulative and harmful purposes. Strengthening privacy and data protection laws remains crucial, particularly in relation to sensitive personal information that could be exploited to facilitate racist and antisemitic actions.
The Israeli Democracy Institute conveyed a warning that the surge of antisemitism driven by social media and AI represents a broader threat to minorities and marginalised groups globally. Without effective global protections and regulations, these technologies risk exacerbating divisions and enabling widespread discrimination far beyond the Jewish community.
The Times of Israel is reporting on the detailed analysis presented by the Israeli Democracy Institute regarding the intersection of technology, policy, and the intensification of antisemitism in the digital age.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.osce.org/chairpersonship/585610 – This OSCE page confirms the organization’s ongoing focus on combating antisemitism and highlights the 2025 conference in Helsinki, emphasizing the challenge of antisemitism, the role of technology, and the need for collaborative efforts across governments and civil society, corroborating the article’s description of the OSCE’s role and focus in the 2024 conference context.
- https://finlandabroad.fi/web/osce/current-affairs/-/asset_publisher/M7u8yGRcHtzh/content/etyjin-vuosittaisessa-antisemitismin-vastaisessa-konferenssissa-keskusteltiin-dialogin-tarkeydesta/35732 – This source confirms the OSCE’s annual conference was held in Helsinki in February 2025 (likely same recurring event as the article’s recent one), discussing issues such as the impact of technology on antisemitism and highlighting the importance of dialogue and education, supporting the article’s mention of the conference timing, location, and thematic focus.
- https://www.csce.gov/press-releases/helsinki-commission-leaders-spearhead-initiative/ – This site shows the commitment of OSCE member states to combat antisemitism through legal frameworks and hate crime tracking, which supports the article’s claim about OSCE’s institutional framework and long-standing efforts since the Helsinki Accords of 1975.
- https://fra.europa.eu/en/event/2025/osces-annual-conference-antisemitism – This EU Fundamental Rights Agency page details the OSCE annual conference on antisemitism, confirming the resurgent threat of antisemitism and discussing emerging trends, including the impact of new technologies such as AI, directly supporting claims about technology’s role in amplifying hate content.
- https://www.csce.gov/statements/confronting-anti-semitism-osce-region/ – This statement from the OSCE region highlights the official commitment to combat antisemitism, the importance of monitoring hate crimes, and the political context that forbids justifying antisemitism by international issues, which aligns with the article’s mention of geopolitical events influencing online antisemitic content.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references events from February 2024, and geopolitical events such as a spike since October 7 (presumably 2023). These are recent dates relative to April 2025, indicating the information is current and not recycled. There is no indication the content is from an old press release.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes, such as the term ‘feature-based antisemitism’ attributed to the Israeli Democracy Institute, do not show prior appearances online, suggesting originality or inaugural use. This supports a higher score, though exact original source date beyond the conference is not verifiable.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative is reported by The Times of Israel, a well-established publication focused on Israeli and Jewish affairs, generally regarded as reliable for such topics. However, the core analysis originates from the Israeli Democracy Institute, a credible think tank but specialized, which may present some bias based on its mission.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about social media algorithms amplifying antisemitism and AI enabling subtle digital discrimination align with current technology and policy debates. The regulatory divergence between US and EU is consistent with known recent trends. No extraordinary or unverifiable claims beyond known developments were made.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, citing early 2024 events and ongoing policy discussions. Original terminology and direct quotes appear authentic, and the reporting source is reputable. The claims are plausible in light of known technological and geopolitical contexts. Thus, the account is credible and up-to-date.
