Host Nation Update, September 25, 2024
DWD Issues Official Severe Weather Warning
Weather: Heavy Rain Expected in Baden-Württemberg
Better pack an umbrella – according to the German Weather Service (DWD), it is expected to remain rainy in Baden-Württemberg until the weekend. In some areas, flooding could occur.
Anyone heading outdoors in Baden-Württemberg over the next few days should be prepared for rain. According to the DWD, intermittent showers are expected throughout the state until the weekend. On Wednesday, isolated showers are predicted to persist until the evening, with continuous rain expected overnight into Thursday.
Which areas are affected by heavy rain?
The DWD has issued an official severe weather warning for the administrative districts of Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Freiburg, and Tübingen due to persistent heavy rainfall. In the southern highlands and Upper Swabia, the DWD expects localized rainfall of up to 45 liters per square meter, while the southwest could experience up to 60 liters per square meter.
Up to 100 liters of rain per square meter possible
In the rain-prone areas of the southern Black Forest and the Upper Rhine Valley, up to 100 liters per square meter of rain could fall within 24 hours. Due to rising river levels, flooding is expected in these regions, warns the DWD. Thursday is also expected to remain rainy throughout the day.
Temperatures to remain stable
On Friday, a mix of sun and clouds is expected, with occasional showers and possibly brief thunderstorms in some areas. Saturday is forecast to be unsettled with rain and showers, although skies are expected to clear from the northwest later in the day. Fortunately, it won’t be too cold, with temperatures expected to reach highs of over twenty degrees in some areas. (September 25, 2024, SWR Aktuell)
Danger from Misinformation Online
Can AI-Generated Fake News Influence Elections?
In the super election year 2024, AI-generated content is playing an increasingly significant role. How much do manipulated news stories influence our voting behavior and democracy?
Misinformation online is a major problem. Many so-called fake news stories are difficult to distinguish from real ones. This year, elections are being held worldwide, including recent municipal and European elections in Baden-Württemberg. How much are our voting decisions influenced by manipulated messages on the internet? Experts see this as a serious risk.
Fake News are more widely clicked and have greater reach
The ease with which information on the internet can be manipulated by artificial intelligence is demonstrated by the FZI Research Center for Information Technology in Karlsruhe. There, experts have developed a “Large Language Media Manipulator.” This tool allows users to input a news article from a reputable source and alter it using certain parameters—such as changing its political perspective. The FZI’s goal is to show how easily information can be manipulated and how online users can be influenced. Experts see not only a danger in fake news themselves but also in their spread. AI-generated content tends to be more emotional and is thus clicked and shared more often than neutral news stories.
“The key point is that (AI-generated texts) evoke emotions, which keeps the user’s attention longer. If you can hold the user’s attention longer, the algorithm prioritizes and amplifies that content.”
— Prof. Dr. Achim Rettinger, FZI Research Center for Information Technology
Karlsruhe researchers develop an app to detect and report fake news
Fake news often reaches large audiences. But how can we identify whether a news story is fake? The FZI in Karlsruhe is also tackling this issue. The research center has developed an AI-powered app capable of identifying distinctive characteristics and stylistic elements of disinformation in social media. The app is designed to help users better recognize fake news, which often involves political content. The FZI experts warn that election decisions could indeed be influenced by AI-manipulated news stories. However, fully preventing fake news on social media is difficult, says Christof Weinhardt, who is responsible for the app.
“It’s obviously very challenging in a democracy with freedom of speech to intervene without crossing into total censorship. I believe we still need to find that balance. We as a society are not there yet. Some exploit it shamelessly, while others are pretty defenseless against it. That’s why I see this as a significant threat.”
— Prof. Dr. Christof Weinhardt, FZI Research Center for Information Technology
Political advisor: “AI will have a strong influence on future elections”
Political advisor Juri Schnöller from Ludwigsburg also believes that AI on the internet can influence people’s opinions and, therefore, will have a powerful and significant impact on future elections. In an interview with SWR, he emphasized that technology like AI is always a tool. It’s up to humanity to use it for good or bad. “We are currently seeing how authoritarian states like China and Russia are using these technologies to destabilize entire societies. It’s up to us to use this technology for good,” Schnöller stated. (September 22, 2024, SWR Aktuell)
Football | Bundesliga
VfB Star Jamie Leweling – Full Throttle on the Fast Track
One of the key reasons behind VfB Stuttgart’s recent turnaround after a slow start to the season is Jamie Leweling. The winger has solidified his performance at the highest level.
No doubt about it: Just like Enzo Millot, Angelo Stiller, Chris Führich, or Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling is also benefiting from coach Sebastian Hoeneß, known as the “improver.” This is despite the fact that the coach wasn’t entirely satisfied with the 23-year-old at the start of pre-season. But that’s now a thing of the past for the Swabians. Lately, Leweling has been one of the most in-form players on the team.
Even before the 5-1 home win against Borussia Dortmund, Coach Hoeneß was fully impressed with what Leweling had been delivering on the pitch: “If he keeps playing like this, I’ll be more than happy. This is a high level. With his physicality, power, and speed, he can cause serious problems for many defenders.” Against Dortmund, the 23-year-old continued exactly where he left off. Last season, Leweling featured in all 38 of VfB’s competitive matches, and he’s once again on track to showcase that impressive consistency.
Leweling and Mittelstädt: The Dynamic Duo
The former U21 national player was loaned from Union Berlin to Stuttgart in the summer of 2023. In his first season, Leweling quickly became a key player. Immediately after the season ended, he was permanently signed for around five million euros, with a contract until summer 2028. On the left side, he forms a brilliant partnership with Maximilian Mittelstädt.
“Jamie is in fantastic form right now. Whether he plays on the left or right, he brings incredible energy and makes it tough for any defender with his acceleration. It’s a big help for us, as he contributes both offensively and defensively, and we all benefit from that,” says national defender Maximilian Mittelstädt about his teammate.
Another VfB Player for Nagelsmann?
Against top teams like Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, Leweling has been one of VfB’s standout performers. This means he’s riding high among Stuttgart’s wingers. National player Chris Führich is feeling the heat, as Leweling seems to have the edge in the internal rankings. Perhaps it’s Leweling’s more disciplined defensive play that’s giving him the upper hand?
One thing’s for sure: if Jamie Leweling continues to play at such a high level, a call from Germany’s national team coach Julian Nagelsmann may no longer be a surprise. (September 25, 2024, SWR Aktuell)