The Business of Journalism in the Age of AI Webinar Series
The news business needs to reinvent itself to best serve the public — and “The Business of Journalism in the Age of AI” aims to teach news leaders worldwide how to take part in that reinvention. 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 unique perspectives on how the news industry must change to thrive in the age of AI.
Registration is free but required. This series is designed for attendees to go to as many sessions as they’d like, from one to 10. Register for the webinars by clicking on the buttons below. All sessions will be from Noon-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.
Date and time: Friday, March 27, Noon to 1 p.m.
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.
Date and time: Friday, April 17, Noon to 1 p.m.
Presenters:
- 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.
Date and time: Friday, May 8, Noon to 1 p.m.
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
Experts from Merrill College and a journalism industry leader describe how newsrooms can ethically use AI to boost their news products.
Date and time: Friday, June 5, Noon to 1 p.m.
Presenters:
- Sean Mussenden, Interim Director of the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Merrill College
- Derek Willis, Lecturer in Data and Computational Journalism, Merrill College
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.
Date and time: Friday, July 17, Noon to 1 p.m.
Presenter:
- Ronald Yaros, Associate Professor and Director of the Digital Engagement Lab, Merrill College
Audience engagement through search engines is shrinking. Pros from Merrill College demonstrate new, AI-driven ways to boost engagement.
Date and time: Friday, August 14, Noon to 1 p.m.
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
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.
Date and time: Friday, Sept. 11, Noon to 1 p.m.
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.
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 9, Noon to 1 p.m.
Presenter:
- 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.
Big companies worldwide are merging journalism and entertainment. Experts explore the ramifications.
Date and time: Friday, Nov. 6, Noon to 1 p.m.
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?
Date and time: Friday, Dec. 4, Noon to 1 p.m.
Presenters:
- 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 Deans' Chair of Operations Management, and Dean Prabhudev Konana, for their support and contributions to this program.
Thank you to our Sponsor
