AI in the media industry: Changing practices and big questions
The rapid growth in adoption of generative AI technology across the media industry demands some scrutiny. While it is potentially helpful in terms of language translation and production speed, there are also widespread concerns about diminishing quality, inaccuracies and overall a lack of understanding on the part of media practitioners in terms of how the technology actually works and the risks it poses.
In this panel discussion held at Mount Royal University’s Community Podcast studio on May 1, journalism professor Meg Wilcox convenes a range of experts to explore AI’s current impact on the broadcasting industry in Canada. She is joined by Mia Lindgren, visiting Australian professor and audio scholar, Amanda Cupido, Founder and CEO of Lead Podcasting & School of Media Instructor at Seneca College, Anis Heydari, CBC journalist and Prairie representative for the Canadian Media Guild and Tim Magee, Instructional Designer at MRU.
The panelists discuss how AI is impacting production decisions, how audiences are reacting to AI use in production, how universities are training the next generation of media producers, and overall, what big questions —and risks— are emerging as media producers, students, educators and organizations continue to adopt AI.
Listen to the panel here:
This production is a collaboration between the Community Podcast Initiative at Mount Royal University and J-Source.
To learn more about the Community Podcast Initiative, you can visit the website at thepodcaststudio.ca or on socials at @communitypodyyc
The Panelists:
Tim Magee
Tim Magee is an Instructional Designer at Mount Royal University. He leads in the development of blended and eLearning courses, helping to enhance online teaching capabilities and encourage community engagement digitally. Since 2002, Magee has strived to improve the educational experience through innovation across five different Universities and Polytechnics across Canada.
Anis Heydari
Anis Heydari is the prairie director for the CBC branch of the Canadian Media Guild and a national senior reporter covering business and economics for CBC News. He has a unique set of knowledge stemming from his diverse professional past, ranging from an IT technician, to an NHL producer, to a news editor. Heydari is involved in helping to set the standard in Canadian media when it comes to A.I. use and recently helped win one of the first agreements in Canadian media that gives workers a say in how I can be used when it comes to their likenesses.
Amanda Cupido
Amanda Cupido is a part-time instructor in the school of media at Seneca College in Toronto, is the founder and CEO of Lead Podcasting, and is an on-camera presenter for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Cupido has extensive experience in media production and journalism, working both in the field and as a professor. She is an award-winning podcast producer, speaker, author, entrepreneur who has shared her experiences and knowledge across digital and in-person platforms, such as TedX.
Mia Lindgren
Mia Lindgren is an adjunct professor at the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Tasmania, and RMIT University in Melbourne, Victoria. She is globally recognized as a leading researcher in podcast, radio and journalism studies. Lindgren focuses on the development of interdisciplinary and practice based research through award winning podcasts, documentaries and websites in partnership with academics, media organizations and audio producers.
Meg Wilcox
Meg Wilcox is an associate professor in Journalism and Digital Media at Mount Royal University and co-director of the school’s Community Podcast Initiative. An award-winning podcaster, her practice-based research focuses on connecting people through audio storytelling. Before joining MRU, Meg spent almost a decade travelling the country as a host, producer and reporter with CBC, CKUA, Banff Centre Radio, CTV and iPolitics. Her book, The New Journalist’s Guide to Freelancing: Building Your Career in the New Media Landscape, is available via Broadview Press.