ZeMKI looks 20 years into the future – Day two of the anniversary conference

The anniversary conference of ZeMKI begins its scientific program today. Under the theme “20 Years into the Future: What is our vision of media, data, and society?”, researchers from various disciplines will discuss key questions about the future of digital media, data, and social change.

Following the festive kick-off the day before at a get-together at the Bremen Press-Club, the ZeMKI anniversary conference begins its scientific program today. Under the theme “20 Years into the Future: What is our vision of media, data, and society?”, researchers from various disciplines will discuss key questions about the future of digital media, data, and social change. Lectures, keynotes, and panels will explore visions, challenges, and new research approaches for the next 20 years of media, communication, and information research.

Highlights of the day include a welcome speech by the President of the University of Bremen, Prof. Dr. Jutta Günther, and an anniversary round table with ZeMKI directors Prof. Dr. Andreas Hepp and Prof. Dr. Kerstin Radde-Antweiler. There will also be exciting keynote speeches by José van Dijck and Cristian Vaccari.

The program for Thursday, October 23, 2025:

9:00 – 9:15 am (Kassenhalle): Welcome Note with Prof. Dr. Jutta Günther (Präsidentin der Universität Bremen)

9:15 – 10:00 am (Kassenhalle): 20 Years of ZeMKI with Andreas Hepp and Kerstin Radde-Antweiler (Head of ZeMKI)

10:00 – 11:00 am (Kassenhalle): Keynote 1 „How to achieve digital sovereignity in Europe?“ with José van Dijck

11:30 – 12:45 am (Kassenhalle): Panel „Disinformation and Conspiracies in the Digital Age: Narratives, Technologies, and Publics“

11:30 – 12:45 am (HdW Olbers): Panel „Knowledge in Transition: AI, Journalism, and Cultural Futures in the Digital Age“

11:30 – 12:45 am (HdW Seminar): Panel „Media, Education and Parenting: Shaping Inclusive Futures Across Generations and Interfaces“

2:00 – 3:15 pm (Kassenhalle): Panel „Exploring, Shaping, and Sensing the Digital Society: Perspectives on Communication, AI, and Experience“

2:00 – 3:15 pm (HdW Olbers): Panel „Envisioning Futures of Media, Communication, and Innovation: Cultural Narratives, AI, and Socio- Technical Change“

2:00 – 3:15 pm (HdW Seminar): Panel „Shaping the Future of Journalism: AI, Imagination, and Systemic Change“

3:45 – 5:00 pm (Kassenhalle): Panel „Cities, (country) maps and communication: navigating the paths to our future“

3:45 – 5:00 pm (HdW Olbers): Panel „Deliberation and Polarization in the Digital Public Sphere: Journalism, AI, and the Struggle for Democratic Discourse“

3:45 – 5:00 pm (HdW Seminar): Panel „AI and the Future of Education: Rethinking Writing, Machines, and the Academic Imagination“

5:15 – 6:15 pm (Kassenhalle): Keynote 2 „Visions of political participation in the digital age“ with Cristian Vaccari

Click here for an overview of all events at the anniversary conference and the Book of Abstracts.