The Business of Journalism in the Age of AI Webinar Series
“The Business of Journalism in the Age of AI” aims to teach news leaders worldwide how to reinvent themselves to best serve the public. In this midday webinar series, experts from the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism and Robert H. Smith School of Business team up with industry leaders to offer their unique perspectives on how the news industry must evolve to thrive in the age of AI.
Registration is free but required. The webinar series runs monthly from March through December. Attendees may register for individual or multiple sessions by clicking on the buttons below.
All sessions will be from Noon to 1 p.m.
Questions? Email Local News Network Director Jerry Zremski at jzremski@umd.edu.
Topic One: The Economics of News in a Changing Landscape
The first two sessions will focus on challenges and solutions to revenue, visibility and subscription success.
With longtime local news outlets struggling amid lower advertising and subscription revenues, experts from the Smith School and a news industry innovator will discuss the current landscape and efforts to revive local news.
Presenters:
- Daniel McCarthy, Associate Professor of Marketing, Smith School
- Bobby Zhou, Associate Professor of Marketing, Smith School
- Sarabeth Berman, CEO, American Journalism Project
News has to be seen to be believed. Merrill College experts discuss proven methods to ensure stories cut through the clutter of the internet — and how news outlets can build revenue through loyalty.
Presenters:
- Yoni Greenbaum, Vice President of Product Strategy, American Press Institute
- Daniel Trielli, Assistant Professor of Media and Democracy, Merrill College
- Jerry Zremski, Director of the Local News Network, Merrill College
Topic Two: How AI is Reshaping Content Creation
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing many businesses — including journalism. These sessions explore how AI can make journalism better, and the risks involved with using AI in the newsroom.
AI can now deliver news and information tailored to any individual. Experts from the Smith School and an industry leader explore the pros and cons of this revolutionary change.
Presenters:
- Balaji Padmanabhan, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business, Smith School
- Eaman Jahani, Assistant Professor of Business, Smith School
- Robyn Tomlin, Executive Director, American Press Institute
Experts from Merrill College and a journalism industry leader describe how newsrooms can ethically use AI to boost their news products.
Presenters:
- Sean Mussenden, Interim Director of the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Merrill College
- Derek Willis, Lecturer in Data and Computational Journalism, Merrill College
- Eli Wohlenhaus, Director of Digital and AI News Strategy for Adams Multimedia
Topic Three: Audience Engagement and Content Distribution in the AI Era
Experts from Merrill College and the news industry discuss how AI can connect journalists with their audiences.
In this session, a Merrill College professor will demonstrate an innovative, AI-supported “Smart Story Suite" designed to engage users across varying environments, time constraints and levels of interest — a model that’s already showing signs of success.
Presenter:
- Ronald Yaros, Associate Professor and Director of the Digital Engagement Lab, Merrill College
- Reid Williams, Co-founder and Secretary, The Local Journalism Foundation
Audience engagement through search engines is shrinking. Pros from Merrill College demonstrate new, AI-driven ways to boost engagement.
Presenters:
- Stacey Decker, Director of the Capital News Service Audience Engagement Bureau, Merrill College
- Shuning Lu, Assistant Professor of Media, Democracy and Technology, Merrill College
- Emma Patti, Executive Editor, Atlas Obscura
Topic Four: Entrepreneurship, Nonprofits and the Future of Journalism
Amid the decline of many traditional local news outlets, startups are emerging – as are new ways of presenting the news.
Smith School experts, a financier who works with entrepreneurs and a local newsroom leader explore the journalism startup environment.
Presenters:
- David A. Kirsch, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Smith School
- Liza Vertinsky, Professor of Law, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
- Guest TBA, JPMorganChase
One of the nation’s leading journalism thinkers discusses his new book — and how journalism must change to serve democracy.
Presenter:
- Zuri Berry, Executive Editor, The Banner in Montgomery County
- Tom Rosenstiel, Eleanor Merrill Scholar on the Future of Journalism, Merrill College
Topic Five: Global Lessons
The local news crisis is worldwide. Experts explore what’s being done overseas to ensure journalism continues to thrive.
The news environment differs from country to country. Experts weigh in on what’s working and where.
Presenter:
- Mel Coffee, Capital News Service Broadcast Bureau Director, Merrill College
What lines should not be crossed when using AI, and how do you explain your use of it to the public?
Presenters:
- Hannes Cools, Assistant Professor and Communications Scholar at the University of Amsterdam's AI, Media and Democracy Lab.
- Kelly McBride, Senior Vice President and Chair of Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership, Poynter Institute
- Rafael Lorente, Dean, Merrill College
Additional Contributors
Thank you to Wedad Elmaghraby, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Dean's Chair of Operations Management, Dean Prabhudev Konana and Dean Rafael Lorente for their support and contributions to this program.
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