Panel discussion: The AI Act and its implications for the media sector

The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) will soon become a reality. On Friday, 8 December, a political agreement was reached. In addition to the AI Act’s main objective to harmonise standards for high-risk artificial intelligence systems, the recent popularisation of general-purpose AI (GPAI) across the world has led the EU legislator to add a new dimension to the regulation to reflect these developments. To uncover the implications of the AI Act for the media ecosystem, we will discuss questions such as: What does the AI Act’s risk-based approach mean for the media? What impact will the regulation have on journalistic practices – for example, in relation to using and procuring AItech? What do media consumers expect, and can the AI Act respond to their concerns? How safe is it to use generative AI from a copyright perspective, and how can media organisations protect their IP? Through an open dialogue, this discussion hopes to further practical and academic debate regarding the many implications the AI Act has for the media sector.

The AI, Media and Democracy Lab and AlgoSoc aim to bring together different legal and societal perspectives, including from research and practice. The format is interactive, with short pitches and plenty of room for questions and interaction. The event will be organised online.

Panelists

Natali Helberger, co-founder of the AI, Media & Democracy Lab, scientific director of AlgoSoc, and KNAW member, is Distinguished University Professor of Law and Digital Technology with a special focus on AI at the University of Amsterdam and a member of the board of directors of the Institute for Information Law (IViR), one of the leading information law institutes worldwide.

Sophie Morosoli is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the AI, Media and Democracy Lab. Her interest in AI and other emerging technologies deepened during her PhD, which focused on the individual dissemination of online misinformation. Within the Lab, she is exploring individuals ‘attitudes towards AI (in journalism) with a special focus on trust, risk perceptions, and authenticity.

João Quintais is Assistant Professor at the Institute for Information Law. Starting with a focus on copyright law, João’s research agenda has developed along three research strands. First, he studies how intellectual property (IP) law applies to new technologies, from peer-to-peer networks, to streaming, hyperlinking, blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Second, he examines the implications of copyright law and its (algorithmic) enforcement on Internet users’ rights and freedoms, on creators’ remuneration, and on technological development. Third, he assesses the role and responsibilities of large-scale platforms, especially in the context of algorithmic content moderation of user-uploaded illegal/harmful content.

More (industry) panelists t.b.a.