The conference, spanned two consecutive days and, aside from lectures, featured a simulation games session, where attendees formed teams and were encouraged to create their own media product on the selected topics. The event was opened by Hendrik Sittig, Head of the KAS Media Programme South East Europe, who also introduced the first panel speaker - Ivan Radev, member of "Association of European Journalists - Bulgaria" management board. He tackled a few aspects from automated content generation to personalized news recommendations, to the potential ideas of AI reshaping the media landscape in the future.
The second panel on the first day of the conference was presented by EU topics journalist and “Capital” magazine editor Monika Varbanova who emphasized the vital role journalists play in raising awareness and mobilizing action on climate change. With rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation becoming more prevalent, the need for accurate and impactful reporting has never been greater. The speaker stressed the importance of equipping journalists with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively communicate the complex issues surrounding the climate change.
Renowned expert and founder of the Institute for Market Economy Krasen Stanchev shared his knowledge and views with the attendees in the third panel on the topic of “Economy, Society and Disinformation: Does the Media Succeed reflect micro and macroeconomic issues?”. After his presentation followed a discussion session.
In addition to the informative lectures, the attendees had the opportunity to participate in simulation games, where they tackled real-world scenarios and explored the potential of AI to enhance climate change reporting. These interactive experiences fostered collaboration and encouraged participants to think innovatively about how technology can aid in addressing this global challenge.
The conference concluded on an optimistic note, with participants inspired by the possibilities that AI presents for journalism, the potential to amplify efforts in combating climate change through media as well as how tricky spreading disinformation on economy related topics can be. The connections forged, insights gained, and ideas exchanged during the event have laid the foundation for future collaborations and inspired future generations of professionals to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.