Beyond previous uses of Generative AI, Agentic AI systems can set plans, make decisions, call external tools and act autonomously over time with limited human oversight. These systems, consisting of one or more agents, can decompose goals into sub tasks, coordinate multiple components or agents, and adjust behavior as conditions change. These capabilities are already affecting the news ecosystem: news organisations are experimenting with agents to assist with the news cycle, while users can create and deploy their own AI agents to curate information, generate news-like content, and even (covertly) influence opinions on social media at scale.

At this deep dive session, the aim is to explore how news organisations are responding to new developments in Agentic AI and what questions these developments raise with regards to responsible use of this technology.

Please note that this is a practice–based, interactive session, where you will: 

• Engage directly with invited stakeholders (civil society, journalism and policy) and leading scientific experts.
• Gain insight into the underlying research projects at the AI, Media and Democracy Lab. 
• Discuss possible key research directions and opportunities for the AIMD and its partners.

Key questions will include:

• What is agentic AI in the news and media domain?
• Are news organisations currently using or planning to use these systems in the news production cycle? What kinds of changes, opportunities, and challenges do they bring?
• How are these systems used or expected to be used by news consumers (e.g. information curation)? How do these systems enable the emergence of alternative sources of information (potentially with hidden agendas)? How are these changes going to impact news organisations’ financial stability?
• What risks does Agentic AI pose with regards to democratic values, the quality and independence of news productions and responsibility and accountability?

Programme: 

This event is invitation only.