Cannes Lions 2026

A Sense of Impending Doomscrolling: Rebooting AI and Social Media

Panel after panel, we hear the same promise: AI and social media democratise creativity, unlock human potential and drive unprecedented efficiency. But while the industry blindly races to embrace this narrative through its advertising dollars, are we ignoring accountability and cost? Lightening talks with voices from global policy, senior industry and lived experience explore the real possibility of a future where social media and AI serve society, not fuel disinformation, prejudice and polarisation. It will explore driving true creativity and advertising effectiveness. You’ll learn how marketing budgets incentivise accountability, trust and systemic change. Moderated by Conscious Advertising Network, and including leaders from the UN, The Molly Rose Foundation, marketing leaders, and Europe’s first social media platform built to counter disinformation.