Published: 2024-11-15

With AI technologies reshaping communication and media at an unprecedented pace, two leading institutions—Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and Renmin University of China—are bringing together a consortium of scholars and experts to address the challenges and possibilities at the forefront of this transformation.

Titled “Embracing Digital Futures: Exploring the Synergy of AI, Communication, and Future Media,” the symposium will be held from November 29 to December 1, 2024, across venues at HKBU and Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC). Supported by the Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance, the event marks a critical juncture in exploring how AI innovations intersect with communication, journalism, media innovation, and societal change.

“AI is no longer a distant prospect; it is a transformative force redefining the rules of engagement in communication and media,” said Professor Bu Zhong, Dean of the School of Communication at HKBU and the symposium’s convener. “Our aim is to foster critical dialogue on how these advancements are shaping societal norms, ethical boundaries, and professional practices.”

The symposium will feature keynotes by leading voices in academia, including Marie Hardin, and Andrea Tapia from Penn State University, alongside Bu Zhong, Yong Zhou, and Xiaokun Wu from Hong Kong and China. Together, they will tackle pivotal questions: How is AI redefining journalism and communication, from content creation to public engagement? What ethical considerations emerge as AI influences media systems and societal trust? Can human-machine collaboration be leveraged to address global challenges and serve the greater good?

In addition to the keynotes, panels will showcase cutting-edge research from eminent scholars representing institutions such as Hong Kong Baptist University, City University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University, Renmin University of China, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, Xi’an Jiaotong University and others. These discussions will explore the nuances of AI’s role in social media interactions, its potential to mitigate or exacerbate disinformation, and its influence on public engagement in democratic processes.

“This symposium situates itself at the leading edge of academic inquiry,” said Professor Céline Yunya Song, organizer of the event. Over 100 papers will be presented, addressing the societal and ethical dimensions of AI integration and exploring its transformative potential and inherent risks. Interactive sessions, including fireside chats and collaborative discussions, aim to break traditional academic molds, engaging participants in forward-thinking conversations about the practical applications of AI in communication industries.

The symposium will be held at HKBU’s Academic and Administration Building and the Lee Shau Kee Communication and Visual Arts Building on November 29–30, 2024. It promises to serve as an indispensable platform for examining the AI-driven reimagining of communication, media, and public discourse.