Leading voices from journalism, technology, and media development convened in Berlin to examine the future of journalism in the age of artificial intelligence from a global perspective.
Maxence Melo, Executive Director of JamiiAfrica, was among the speakers at the gathering, which brought together media professionals, policymakers, and technology experts.
As generative AI reshapes how people access information, participants explored ways to safeguard information integrity amid the growing influence of largely unregulated tech companies, targeted disinformation, and algorithms that often lack nuance.
Discussions highlighted the pressure AI-driven products—such as digital assistants—have placed on media organizations, contributing to sharp declines in website traffic and revenue. Despite these challenges, participants also identified areas of cautious optimism.
Many attendees expressed discomfort with direct partnerships between media outlets and major technology companies, citing the complexity and contradictions inherent in these relationships. The New York Times was cited as an example, as it is simultaneously pursuing legal action against OpenAI while maintaining a content partnership with Amazon. Workshops emphasized that journalism must not only be recognized as a public good but also funded accordingly.
While there was broad agreement on the core challenges facing journalism, proposed solutions varied. Some experts advocated for stronger regulation and enforcement, including requiring tech companies to comply with their own standards. Others warned that poorly designed regulations could be exploited by authoritarian or illiberal governments to restrict media freedom.
In the final session, participants outlined several next steps from an organizational perspective:
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Expand dialogue between media, civil society, and technology companies by engaging EU policymakers in Brussels.
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In collaboration with partners, DW Akademie will refine a roadmap for a sustainable future for journalism, ensuring that perspectives from the Global South are fully represented.
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Integrate these discussions into an updated roadmap to further shape the strategy of DW Freedom, DW Akademie’s think tank.
Participants concluded that while strategy is essential, securing the future of journalism and information integrity in the AI era will require coordinated action among civil society, newsrooms, legal experts, technology companies, and policymakers.
