Deepfake Risk Summit in Luxembourg: Turning Awareness into Action Against AI-Driven Threats

Luxembourg, 29th April 2026. As deepfake technology rapidly evolves, posing significant risks to businesses, institutions, and public trust, Innovation Lux is launching the Deepfake Risk Summit on 7th May 2026 in Luxembourg. This high-impact event is designed to move beyond theory, and equip companies with practical tools and strategic planning to counter emerging threats.

Hosted in partnership with the House of Cybersecurity Luxembourg and Women4Cyber Luxembourg, University of Luxembourg, Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) in collaboration with Google.org the summit brings together leading experts in AI, cybersecurity, law, digital infrastructure and business strategy to address one of the most urgent risks of the AI era.

From Insight to Action: A New Event Format

Unlike traditional conferences, the Deepfake Risk Summit is designed as an interactive working session. Participants will actively engage in discussions, real-world case analyses, and guided exercises.

"You'll leave the Deepfake Risk Summit with a concrete checklist and cybersecurity 'homework', and the confidence to empower your company with an actionable toolkit to assess risks, ensure compliance, and build real resilience against deepfake-driven threats," explained Christiane Lesch, CEO of Innovation Lux.

The summit also marks the beginning of an ongoing event series by Innovation Lux and its partners, supporting companies in building long-term resilience through follow-up workshops, training sessions, individual coaching, scenario-based cyber risk training and advanced deep-dive formats.

Expert Panel: Leading Voices in AI, Cybersecurity and Law

The summit features a curated panel of experts from Luxembourg's cybersecurity and innovation ecosystem:

Clara Danois, Lawyer
A specialist in digital law, data protection, and AI, Clara Danois advises organisations ranging from startups to multinational corporations across sectors including healthcare, finance, and technology.

"The issue is that each group represents only part of the problem. Technology companies understand what is technologically possible, legal experts understand the applicable regulatory frameworks, and business leaders understand the operational and potential risks for a company. None of these perspectives is sufficient on its own," emphasizes Clara Danois, lawyer and specialist in digital law and AI.

Patricia Souza, President, Women4Cyber Luxembourg
With over 20 years of experience in leadership development and diversity strategy, Patricia Souza focuses on building inclusive and sustainable ecosystems across international organisations.

"Cyber resilience is not just a technical issue, it's a people issue. Organisations need to foster awareness, collaboration, and inclusive leadership to effectively respond to emerging threats like deepfakes."

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Lenzini, Associate Professor at the University of Luxembourg and Chief Scientist at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), where he leads the Interdisciplinary Research Group in Sociotechnical Cybersecurity (IRiSC). His research focuses on sociotechnical security and the design and analysis of security and privacy. Lenzini is an internationally recognized expert, he works at the intersection of information security, human-computer interaction, and the social and ethical dimensions of technology. His recent research has explored misinformation and online deception, particularly their impact on security and trust. He is also Program Director of the Master in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defence at the University of Luxembourg.

"Everything related to cybersecurity is very fundamental now. Cybersecurity is not just about awareness, it's about behavior, training, and how people respond under real pressure."

Daniel Grigorovich, CEO & Founder, CloudSoul
A DevOps expert, Daniel Grigorovich specialises in secure cloud infrastructures and compliance solutions for startups and SMEs in Luxembourg.

"The highest risk group is executives of mid-sized companies. Not because they're the biggest targets in absolute terms, but because they give public talks, they appear in videos, and they sit close enough to the money that impersonating them actually pays off. That's the sweet spot for attackers. After that you've got anyone in a public-facing role during a sensitive moment. Think of a CEO during an acquisition, or a CFO around earnings. Impersonate them for an afternoon and you can move markets..."

Dr. Emilia Tantar, Chief AI Officer & Head of Luxembourg Cybersecurity Factory
With over two decades of experience in AI and strategic consulting, Dr. Emilia Tantar has collaborated with global institutions such as the World Economic Forum and the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). She brings deep expertise in AI implementation and governance.

Philipp Dewald, CEO & Co-Founder, Detesia
A recognised expert in deepfake detection, Philipp Dewald developed with his team advanced forensic technologies to verify digital authenticity, following his research at CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security.

"Deepfakes are no longer a future threat, they are already impacting business trust, compliance, and operational security. Companies must act now to build detection and response capabilities."

Christiane Lesch, CEO Innovation Lux: Christiane Lesch is the CEO and founder of Innovation Lux, bringing over 26 years of experience in strategic consulting for international companies. Throughout her career, she has advised international companies across industries on communication, risk management, and digital transformation, with a strong focus on bridging the gap between innovation, regulation, and real-world business needs.

The panel will be moderated by the international journalist and global marketing communications expert Loretta Marie Perera.

Rising Threat Landscape: Deepfakes in Numbers
Recent research from European and German institutions highlights the urgency:
● Deepfake incidents have increased by over 700% in Fintech according to Deloitte
● Financial fraud and identity manipulation were key use cases.
● According to the 2025 Cybersecurity Status Report by the Transfer Centre for Cybersecurity in SMEs at FZI, deepfake attacks in Germany increased by 1,100% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the previous year, while AI-generated phishing emails have become so convincing that 60% of recipients no longer recognize them as fraud." (FZI)

Luxembourg's digital economy, with its strong financial and institutional sector, is particularly exposed to reputational and compliance risks linked to synthetic media manipulation.

According to a recent study by Munich Re, the cyber threat landscape is intensifying significantly: publicly reported cyberattacks increased by nearly 50% in 2025, while AI technologies are making attacks more scalable, targeted, and harder to detect. The report also highlights that cybercrime could reach USD 14 trillion in global damages by 2028, underlining the massive economic impact of digital threats.
In addition, nearly 9 out of 10 companies report that they are not adequately protected against cyber risks, revealing a critical gap between threat exposure and organisational preparedness.

A Systemic Risk, Not Just IT

Deepfake risk is often misunderstood as merely a technical cybersecurity problem. It is not. It is a strategic, operational, and reputational risk that cuts across leadership, compliance, communications and corporate governance. While regulations like the EU AI Act, DORA, and NIS2 provide frameworks, they represent only the baseline.

Regulation alone will not protect your firm. What is missing is operational readiness: the ability to question authenticity, adapt decision-making processes, and train teams for a world where "seeing is believing" is no longer a valid operating principle. This lack of strategic preparedness is where most SMEs are currently exposed.

Regulatory Pressure: What Companies Must Prepare for in 2026

The summit also addresses the growing regulatory landscape, including:

● NIS2 Directive: Requires companies to implement stronger cybersecurity risk management, incident reporting, and employee training measures.
● DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act): Focuses on financial institutions, mandating robust ICT risk management and resilience testing.
● EU AI Act: Introduces obligations around transparency, risk classification, and mandatory AI literacy within organisations.

From 2026 onwards, companies failing to comply with these frameworks face significant fines and legal exposure, making structured training and preparedness essential.

The Cost of Waiting

For SMEs, the question is no longer whether deepfakes will become relevant, but when. Those who delay action risk lasting damage. Conversely, those who act early transform this challenge into a competitive advantage. In the age of AI, resilience is not just a defensive posture; it is a leadership decision.

Beyond the Summit: Building Long-Term AI Resilience

The Deepfake Risk Summit is a starting point for a broader initiative by Innovation Lux and its partners, including:

● Follow-up hands-on workshops and training sessions
● Executive AI risk readiness programmes
● Industry-specific deepfake risk assessments
● Ongoing community and knowledge exchange formats
● Scenario-Based Cyber Risk Training

Further details and registration information for further upcoming events are available at: https://innovation-lux.com/events/

"Innovation Lux is positioning itself at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and business strategy to bridge this gap. In collaboration with leading partners including the Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity, the Cybersecurity Factory, Women4Cyber, The University of Luxembourg and the University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), we are moving the dialogue from theoretical discussion to executive-level action," explains Christiane Lesch, CEO Innovation Lux.

Innovation Lux Deepfake Risk Survey: Closing the Awareness Gap

To complement the Deepfake Risk Summit, Innovation Lux has launched the Deepfake Risk Survey, an initiative designed to assess how companies currently perceive and manage the growing threat of synthetic media. The survey targets executives, cybersecurity experts, communication professionals, and innovation leaders, exploring key areas such as awareness of deepfake risks, potential impact on reputation and financial stability, and existing prevention and crisis readiness strategies.

Participation is anonymous and takes only a few minutes, with the goal of generating actionable insights for the Luxembourg and European business ecosystem.

Further information and participation:
https://innovation-lux.com/surveys/

Innovation Lux SARL-S
21, Rue Glesener
1631 Luxembourg
Luxembourg

Media Contact:

Email: press@innovation-lux.com
Tel.: +352 27 86 69 29
Web: https://innovation-lux.com/

About Innovation Lux
Innovation Lux is a Luxembourg-based global business consulting firm focused on advancing AI readiness, cybersecurity awareness, and digital transformation strategies for companies across Europe. Through practical training formats and expert-led initiatives, Innovation Lux supports companies in navigating complex technological and regulatory landscapes through providing strategic insight and executive-level dialogue on the key challenges shaping the future of business. Through curated formats including summits, workshops, and executive roundtables, Innovation Lux delivers practical guidance and strategic perspectives to help companies navigate complexity, strengthen resilience, and prepare for what lies ahead.

This release was published on openPR.