We are thrilled to announce the release of the updated version of the AI4Media Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), a comprehensive guide focused on advancing AI for media and society!
Athens Technology Center (ATC) is proud to have contributed to this latest version, featuring a new section focused on Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), exploring legal, ethical, and societal aspects, key technological trends, and relevant applications for the media and creative industries; where ATC’s expertise has played a crucial role.
This agenda serves two key purposes: providing a roadmap for AI research in media and fostering community engagement.
What’s new in the updated SRA?
Originally launched in March 2023, the SRA was updated in July 2024 to reflect the rapid progress in Generative AI. The updates focus on the transformative impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) on the media industry. Here’s what to expect:
- Strategic AI Research Planning: The SRA outlines AI4Media’s focus on emerging machine learning techniques, content-centered AI, trustworthy AI, and human/society-centered AI. These research areas target technical, legal, and ethical challenges, with a clear focus on their impact on the media industry.
- Generative AI Research: A new section explores the latest advancements in GenAI and LLMs, delving into legal, ethical, and societal aspects. It also highlights key technological trends and how these innovations can transform media and creative industries.
- Legal, Ethical, and Societal Insights: The SRA monitors the evolving AI policy landscape and its impact on media, offering insights, analyses, and recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and media organizations.
- Real-World Case Studies: Practical applications of AI research are highlighted through case studies, showcasing its impact on disinformation detection, media production, content moderation, and more. Here, ATC in collaboration with Deutsche Welle explored Use Case 1: “AI for Social Media and Against Disinformation.” This involved integrating and testing a range of AI-powered features within existing content verification tools, addressing the practical needs of news media companies, and incorporating aspects of Trustworthy AI. New AI-based features were made available within Truly Media, a web-based platform for collaborative verification, co-developed by ATC and DW.
- Community Engagement: The SRA fosters continuous dialogue, encouraging collaboration and ongoing updates in line with the latest AI advancements. It also promotes AI education and skill development, ensuring the next generation of AI professionals are equipped to innovate.
ATC’s input: How can personalized Large Language Models (LLMs) transform the media and creative industries, especially for journalists?
Developing personalized LLMs for journalists presents challenges such as curating tailored training data, fine-tuning models to individual writing styles, and ensuring topic specialization while maintaining transparency. Journalists need tools that enhance writing efficiency, provide personalized assistance, and offer reliable, context-specific insights. Research should focus on methods for gathering and analyzing journalist-specific data, fine-tuning models to incorporate unique styles, and improving interpretability.
As ATC suggests within the agenda, effective solutions could streamline journalistic processes, leading to more accurate and engaging content, benefiting both media professionals and the public by providing better-quality news and deeper reporting on important issues.
AI4Media’s Vision: A unified European AI landscape for media
AI4Media’s mission is to create a European Network of Excellence in AI for Media, Society, and Democracy. AI4Media aims to address the media industry’s most pressing challenges by uniting leading researchers and industry experts. AI-driven tools are already enhancing media processes such as content personalization, disinformation detection, and smart assistants. However, further breakthroughs in machine learning, content creation, and trustworthy AI will continue revolutionizing media operations.
The media industry is on the cusp of transformation, with AI offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance content creation, delivery, and interaction. AI4Media’s updated SRA ensures that Europe is at the forefront of these advancements, with a commitment to ethical, human-centered AI that benefits society.
Shaping the Future of AI for Media
The updated SRA serves as a living document, adapting as AI technology evolves. It supports AI4Media’s efforts to empower the media industry, foster innovation, and ensure responsible AI development. Through initiatives like the International AI Doctoral Academy and funding support for startups and SMEs, AI4Media is cultivating the next generation of AI talent and research.
With AI poised to drive innovation across industries in the next decade, AI4Media is dedicated to ensuring the media industry is prepared to harness its full potential while addressing potential risks. The AI4Media Network of Excellence will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of media AI in Europe and beyond.
