“Around the wildfire: Algorithms, Humans, and Stories”

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have been telling stories. Etched in rocks in the deep darkness of caves depicted in vivid colours of the forests, written on yellowed parchments in hieroglyphics beyond the understanding of the modern netizens, or presented in audio-visual 30-seconder reels with moving images and background scores – stories remain. Cut to the 21st century and we see that human beings make stories with continually evolving formats, but have also come to a juncture where the format, the algorithm, has started to define the content of the story, giving birth to the discourse of who’s the narrator – homo sapiens or machina/algorismus. 

Amidst the rampant use of algorithmization enabled by AI, the common theme of AI systems is the human factor. Humans play an essential role in designing, developing, and operationalizing AI systems. We have a remit to ensure those systems run transparently, perform equitably, value our privacy, and effectively fulfill human needs. And enable us to tell immersive stories.

The present ongoing development of human–AI interaction with a particular focus on the “human” dimension and provides insights to improve the design of AI that could be genuinely beneficial and effectively used in society.

The VIIth  JLU International Festival of Media on 9th and 10th March 2024, centres around the overarching theme “Around the wildfire: Algorithms, Humans, and Stories”, and  has been curated by the Faculty of Journalism and Creative Studies, Jagran Lakecity University. The year’s edition of the festival aims to broaden, advance conversations and facilitate scholarly and industry-relevant exchanges in the domains of journalism, media & communications, design & animation, and filmmaking & events by connecting practitioners and scholars belonging to diverse backgrounds and approaches under one umbrella, with a specific reference to how humans and algorithms interact and the resultant ecosystem that ensues. 

With all the new technology, digital tools and connectivity, one of the most interesting fallouts has been the intensification of social connections… connecting the world as a single place, and creating a greater awareness of opinion, bias, and raw news. The intersection of globalization, communication, creativity and journalism defines an important and growing field of research, particularly concerning the public sphere and spaces for political discourse.

This festival will add to the growing insights into various perspectives about how AI has impacted people and society and how it will do so in the future, and understanding how we can collaborate, navigate and deploy algorithm systems that are beneficial, legitimate, usable by humans, and designed considering and respecting human values and tell better stories.

The festival aspires to trigger ideas through a combination of keynote addresses, fireside chats, workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions and exhibitions. The speakers are all high achievers and veterans in their respective spaces but at the same time they are connected with academia through the ever-evolving thread of information, behaviour change, influence and action, and through this festival they will address a wide range of topics within the thinking, research and practice of media, communication, journalism and culture. 

In the Indian context, which is the world’s largest democracy, media and change are intertwined strongly thereby also posing challenges of truthful interpretation as well as inclusive opportunities for all. This two day confluence shall offer a deep dive into the current issues pertaining to journalism, industry trends, practices, challenges, and behaviors in relation to diverse media in phygital setup. The festival shall facilitate special addresses and interactions with leading experts in journalism, media and communication, films and design along with masterclasses and workshops over the course of two days often through storytelling.

Who Attends ?

College students from central India, journalists, Content creators, event professionals, brands, local creative agencies, academics, , scholars, media companies, start-ups and consultancies all come to the JLU International Festival of Media to learn about how the dynamic and ever-evolving world of media works. You will meet students and people from all spheres of journalism, advertising, Public Relations, Entertainment, Content creativity and communications to name a few, along with stalwarts who bring with them rich experiences from the field. 

A Sneak peak into the events

• 20 keynote speakers & Micro Workshop mentors
• Panel Discussions
• Fireside Chats
• Micro-Workshops 
• Student competitions
• Cultural Show ( 10th March 2024)

For Queries email at : jlumediafestival@jlu.edu.in